NCJ Number
192024
Journal
Jane's Intelligence Review Volume: 13 Issue: 11 Dated: November 2001 Pages: 25-27
Date Published
November 2001
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Emerging from a decade of conflict in the Balkans, Albanian gangs were initially proteges of the Turkish mafia; they have now branched out on their own to become a pre-eminent criminal network in the global underworld, with interests that range from drugs to prostitution, fraud, and racketeering.
Abstract
Albanian organized crime is the fastest-growing criminal threat in Europe, now operating as far afield as the United States and Australia. It directly distributes up to 40 percent of the heroin in Western Europe and plays some part in the movement of perhaps 40 percent more. Although progress is being made in strengthening Albania's efforts to build a stable and strong democracy, it is not a state yet able to combat either long-standing traditions of banditry and clan rivalries or burgeoning new forms of organized crime. Further, neighboring Kosovo is largely dominated by criminal organizations, as are parts of the Republic of Macedonia. The structure and culture of Albanian organized crime is characterized by a mix of traditional loyalties and new-found tradecraft. There is no single "Albania mafia," only a collection of separate clan groups dominated by the so-called "15 families" of northern Albania. Most gangs are still based around kinship. In addition to having a base in Turkey, the Albanian crime gangs also began to diversify in terms of their contacts, using their role as heroin middlemen to gain new contacts and eventually make a key connection with the Italians. Although Albanian gangs have expanded their territory of operations, there are obstacles to further expansion. As gangs move outside their ethnic and kin bases, this carries with it greater risk of internal division and conflict. National and international law enforcement are also becoming increasingly effective.