NCJ Number
197360
Journal
Jane's Intelligence Review Volume: 14 Issue: 10 Dated: October 2002 Pages: 34-35
Date Published
October 2002
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the emergence of Albanian organized crime in the Czech Republic.
Abstract
The author describes how Albanian criminals, mainly from the Serbian province of Kosovo, immigrated into the Czech Republic during 1990-1993 to avoid prosecution in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland where they had originally claimed political asylum. Members of Albanian organized crime syndicates are slowly working their way into a position of respectability and legitimacy within the Czech society. These criminals are able to penetrate civil society through the use of bribes made to local politicians, civil servants, and police. Some citizens speculate that it is too late to do anything about the problem of Albanian organized crime since these people are slowly integrating into legitimate society. The author goes on to explain that Albanian organized crime lacks a centralized authority figure that is seen in the Italian mafia. Rather the structure of Albanian crime syndicates is horizontal in nature and many members lack knowledge of who other members are, making it difficult for police to obtain intelligence information. The author shows how heroin trafficking is the main activity of Albanian organized crime in the Czech Republic as well as throughout Europe. The use of courier companies to send illicit goods throughout Germany, Australia, and Switzerland is a common practice.