Albanian Organised Crime: A View From Greece

• NCJ Number: 203533
• Journal: Crime & Justice International Volume: 19 Issue: 77 Dated: November/December 2003 Pages: 5-9
• Author(s): Georgios A. Antonopoutos
• Date Published: November 2003
• Length: 5 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article examines the extent of Albanian organized crime in Greece through two brief assessments of the problem and the activities of Albanian criminal networks.

Abstract

Due to a series of factors, Albanian criminal networks became some of the most important and successful groups that emerged in the 1990's. Due to their common border, they have caused considerable concern in Greece, in addition to other countries in the western world. This article discusses the assessments regarding the seriousness of Albanian organized crime, as well as the activities of Albanian criminal networks. The two general assessments on the seriousness of Albanian organized crime are: (1) Albanian organized crime in Greece is already serious and (2) Albanian organized crime has the potential to be serious. The first assessment comes from the police of the country, suggesting that Albanian networks not only have caused a significant increase in the crime rates but have qualitatively transformed crime in Greece with more violence. The second assessment is shared by academics suggesting that the Albanian criminal networks are not as organized as the Russian criminal networks or the Italian mafia. The activities of the Albanian criminal networks discussed include: drug trafficking, trafficking of women and children, smuggling of migrants, smuggling of antiquities, smuggling of cigarettes, arms trafficking, and stealing of luxury cars and motorbikes. Albanian organized crime poses a potential threat to the political stability of Greece and needs to be dealt with on an international basis which includes needing international aid to Albania towards establishing a strong democracy, the integration of the Albanian migrant community, the continuation of the exchange of information and close cooperation among the international community on organized crime, and understanding the dynamics and structures of Albanian organized crime through continuous research.