Montenegro is an important heroin, cannabis and cocaine transit hub on the Balkan Route according to the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs report for 2011.. The report states that only 10-15 percent of the smuggled drugs remain on the Montenegrin market although indications are that the domestic market is growing. Drug-related crimes and reported drug abuse are on the rise, according to the report.
While there is no significant marijuana production in Montenegro, INTERPOL lists neighboring Albania as a significant source of cannabis resin, and large quantities of herbal marijuana were discovered in Macedonia in the recent years.
Montenegro authorities believe that seven or eight major organized crime groups engage in drug trafficking in Montenegro. Some are believed to be involved with an international drug smuggling network covering the Balkans, the Near East, Western Europe, and South America.
