Suspected drug-lord Darko Šarić arrested with help of Montenegro authorities, sent to Serbia for legal process

Podgorica, Montenegro (18 March 2014) – Suspected drug lord Darko Šarić was arrested in Latin America and is now available to Serbian judicial authorities, Montenegro's Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Duško Marković told the press conference today in Podgorica.

Activities of the Montenegrin and Serbian police and other security structures, made through the joint investigative team, resulted in the arrest of the fugitive and his request to surrender to Serbia’s authorities, DPM Marković stressed.

The entire transfer operation across Montenegro was conducted early this morning in the period from 6.30 until 7.30. Šarić's only request was to meet his family and his lawyer in his native Montenegro, Justice Minister Marković explained.

Minister Marković was not able to disclose any information related to Šaric’s alleged helpers and associates, nor where he had been hiding over the last four years, because, as he said, of the investigation and proceedings being conducted in another country.

Concerning some speculations that Darko Šarić was hiding in Montenegro with support of the Montenegrin authorities, the Justice Minister said:

“Today, these speculations have been proven false, justice and truth prevailed. We in Montenegro, both the state and its institutions, are proud of that fact,” he stated.

This arrest and bringing to justice of Darko Šarić, as one of the most wanted organised crime master-minds in the region and beyond, testifies to Montenegro’s and Serbia’s commitment and capability to cooperate in the spirit of full trust on vital national security issues. On the other hand, Mr Marković underlined, the whole action is aimed at disclosing the whole chain of the criminal gang.

He also pointed out that during the operation and the work of the joint investigation team, Darko Šarić did not have any contacts with the Montenegrin politicians.

“The news that a member of a high-ranking criminal gang was brought to justice is good news for every police officer, every security service’s officer, every country throughout the world,” Montenegro’s Justice Minister told the press earlier today.