The Supreme Court of Montenegro has decided to extend the detention of Edin Čaluk for an additional two months, maintaining his custody until February 5, 2026. This ruling follows a request from the Higher State Prosecutor’s Office in Podgorica, which raised concerns regarding Čaluk’s involvement in drug trafficking activities.
Authorities have established substantial suspicion that Čaluk committed the crime of unauthorized production, possession, and distribution of narcotic drugs. According to the investigation order, he allegedly smuggled 131 kilograms of marijuana from Albania into Montenegro via the Božaj border crossing on September 5, 2023. The drugs were reportedly packaged in 114 plastic containers and concealed in a hidden compartment of a Renault Iveco truck.
The marijuana was discovered during a customs scan and physical inspection at the customs terminal in Podgorica. The court noted that the extension of Čaluk’s detention was necessary due to the risk of flight.
In its decision, the Supreme Court emphasized that Čaluk, a citizen of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, frequently travels abroad and is engaged in international transport. His extensive foreign contacts could potentially facilitate his escape, raising the stakes for the investigation.
Čaluk has been in custody since the initial ruling by a judge from the Higher Court in Podgorica on September 7, 2023. The Criminal Council of the same court further extended his detention on October 3, 2023. The current ruling by the Supreme Court allows for his detention to continue until February, indicating the seriousness of the charges against him and the ongoing nature of the investigation.
As authorities proceed with this case, the implications of drug trafficking remain a pressing issue in the region, highlighting the challenges law enforcement faces in combating organized crime.
