Montenegrin president under investigation in Italy

Agence France Presse ^ | May 29, 2002 | AFP

[bob808]

Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic is under investigation in Italy for involvement in a cigarette smuggling ring and links to organized crime, judicial sources said.

Prosecutors in the southern city of Bari have formally opened an investigation of Djukanovic for links to mafia groups involved in cigarette contraband.

The investigation was opened at the request of local authorities fighting organized crime in Bari, which is located near the Montenegrin coast where many of the vessels carrying the cigarettes depart.

Once in Italy, the illegal cargo is unloaded and shipped throughout Italy and Europe.

Several former associates of the Montenegrin president are also under investigation, sources said.

The investigation was opened after a key witness and several informers involved in the smuggling ring came forward and provided information on Djukanovic.

Cigarette smuggling is a major problem in Italy with tax authorities estimated to lose annually somewhere between 2 to 3.5 billion euros (1.86 to 3.25 billlion dollars), treasury officials said.

[bob808]

Gee, the very same "pro-Western" president that has been pushing for an independent Montenegro is a scum bag linked to organized crime. What could have imagined such a thing? [/sarcasm]

[vooch]

You should make clear that it was the Clinton White House that made this guy our buddy and spent some $100mm on helping him create 'democratic reforms' in his tiny province of 650,000 souls.

[Fish out of Water]

*Index Bump

[Just another Joe]

Cigarette smuggling is a major problem in Italy with tax authorities estimated to lose annually somewhere between 2 to 3.5 billion euros (1.86 to 3.25 billlion dollars), treasury officials said.

Coming soon to a country near you.