The Montenegrin police arrested several people on suspicion of spying for Russia, Podgorica daily Vijesti reported on Thursday.

It said that National Security Agency (ANB) agents made the arrests of Montenegrin nationals under warrants issued by the Special State Prosecutor. A Vijesti source said that one of the unnamed suspects, allegedly a civil servant, had been working for Russian intelligence services for at least 10 years, heading a group of spies.

Vijesti sources said that the operation is the first against foreign intelligence personnel operating in Montenegro. The ANB did not respond to a request for comment.

The ANB and Special Police Department searched several places across the Montenegrin capital and other areas and reported finding “items of interest to the investigation”.

A Vijesti source said that the operation was international and added that several Russian nationals were also arrested.