BREAKING: The Supreme Court of Montenegro has just announced the extension of detention for suspects Nikola Popović, Goran Orbović, and Darko Purović until June 16, 2026. This urgent decision comes amid ongoing investigations into serious charges of forming a criminal organization and smuggling untaxed cigarettes.
The court’s ruling, confirmed earlier today, follows a proposal from the Special State Prosecutor’s Office on March 10, 2026. The suspects are believed to pose a significant flight risk, prompting authorities to act decisively to prevent any potential escape.
According to the court’s statement, evidence collected during the investigation indicates substantial grounds for suspicion that the accused were integral members of a criminal network operating within Montenegro and beyond. Their alleged goal? To engage in the smuggling of untaxed cigarettes for illicit profit.
Each suspect reportedly had a predefined role in this criminal scheme, which included procurement, transportation, concealment, and sale of the smuggled goods while evading customs oversight. This organized crime activity not only threatens public safety but also undermines the state’s economic integrity.
The initial detention for Popović, Orbović, and Purović was ordered on December 18, 2025, by an investigative judge at the High Court in Podgorica. It was subsequently extended by a ruling from the Criminal Council of the same court on January 15, 2026. Today’s decision by the Supreme Court allows authorities to keep the suspects in custody for an additional three months as investigations continue.
This extension sends a clear message regarding the seriousness of organized crime in the region and the commitment of Montenegrin authorities to combat it effectively. What happens next remains to be seen as the investigation unfolds.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
