NCJ Number
216348
Journal
European Journal of Criminology Volume: 3 Issue: 4 Dated: October 2006 Pages: 439-461
Date Published
October 2006
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This study examined the social organization of migrant smuggling in Greece.
Abstract
Results identified various features of people smuggling into Greece. First, three sets of factors have played an important role in the growth of the smuggling of migrants in Greece, as well as in the rest of the world: push factors, pull factors, and facilitating factors, which are the same as those that encourage legal migration. Second, in each smuggling group there are specific duties. Third, the recruitment of migrants is a relatively easy task since the recruiters are known to the local communities in both the source and transit countries. Fourth, prospective smuggled migrants sell property, borrow money, or hand over property prior to the journey. Lastly, migrants are smuggled on foot, by cars, trucks and motorcycles, and by sea vessels. Additional research is recommended on the social organization of migrant-smuggling into, through, and out of Greece. In recent years, the smuggling of migrants has gained international prominence. Within the European context, Greece represents a unique case because of its social, economic, political, and geographical location. Drawing on a variety of information sources, this study sought to provide an account of the social organization of migrant smuggling in Greece. Specifically, it sought to describe the push, pull, and facilitating factors that influence the smuggling of migrants, the divisions of duties and roles within the groups or organizations that smuggle migrants, the methods by which prospective migrants are recruited, the methods of payment, and the means and routes. References