Statement by DPM Koprivica on destruction of seized tobacco in Port of Bar Free Zone

The destruction of confiscated tobacco in the Port of Bar Free Zone has begun. The contractor for the work is the state-owned Deponija company. The destruction is being carried on-site and under video surveillance, with the control participation of teams and a commission made up of domestic customs and police officers, as well as representatives of the His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMCR).

The destruction is being carried out in a credible and well-organised manner following the inventory of the tobacco.

With this strike on tobacco smuggling, we have hit the heart of the Montenegrin underground. Tobacco has been the lifeblood of organised crime for years and has significantly contributed to the development of crime.

Those who have controlled the tobacco smuggling also controlled the flow of money, influence, and, unfortunately, even politics, for decades. Today, every seized and destroyed pack of cigarettes means less money for the mafia, more safety for citizens and more money for the budget.

This action sends a message that the mafia no longer has the logistical support of the system. Cigarettes were the scent of the underground, and now they are the ashes of crime. While cigarettes were once a shield for criminals, today they are proof of their weakness, thanks to the decisive and uncompromising action of the Government of Montenegro.

On this occasion, I would like to thank the Government of the United Kingdom for their continuous support in this process. The British Embassy in Podgorica and the HMRC have provided significant legal and operational support during the inventory, and now during the destruction of confiscated tobacco. Their contribution has been crucial in establishing a methodology that ensures transparency and credibility.

I would also like to thank Prime Minister Spajić for his unwavering support for this process, as well as the Customs Administration, which bore the greatest burden of work and acted in a dedicated and responsible manner, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of the Interior, the Police Directorate and the National Security Agency, that consistently contributed to this process and shown patriotic responsibility in executing the task of exceptional importance for our country.