Butorović: Continued Fight Against the Gray Economy in Kotor - Seized Smuggled Goods

In 2023, a coordinated action was carried out by multiple state institutions in the Old Town of Kotor to suppress the trade of goods without trademark approval. Fake goods were found in large quantities in retail outlets that are occasionally opened for 'safe customers,' with the largest amount stored in warehouses. This is part of a continued operation initiated in May this year by the Coordination Body in collaboration with market inspection and the Smuggling Suppression Department of the Customs Administration of Montenegro, where a significant amount of smuggled goods was also discovered and confiscated. The field operation was led by the chief coordinator of the Coordination Body for joint inspections, with coordinators from Ulcinj and Kotor, as well as the head of the criminal police department of Kotor Police Station. Given the large quantity and value of the goods, the further jurisdiction has been taken over by the Basic Public Prosecutor's Office in Kotor, the Customs Department – Smuggling Suppression Section, and the Criminal Police Department of Kotor Police Station. Eight market inspectors involved in this joint action inspected the mentioned outlets and many other retail locations in the Old Town, taking measures within their authority to combat the trade of goods without trademark approval.