NCJ Number
207797
Date Published
2004
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This paper examines organized crime’s involvement in illegal migration, people smuggling, and human trafficking, specifically from the Balkan and Baltic areas of Central and Western Europe.
Abstract
In Europe, there has become a growing connection between illegal migration, people smuggling, and human trafficking and organized crime (OC). The corruption and infiltration of organized crime in these areas has become a concern, especially the people smuggling and organized human trafficking from the Balkan and Baltic areas of Russia to Central and Western Europe. These regions play an important role, in that they are considered major routes and areas of active crime syndicates. Some of the favorite destination points from these eastern routes are Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Eastern and Southeastern European OC syndicates are reported to be increasingly involved in smuggling of persons and trafficking in human beings, especially for sexual exploitation. Primary routes for smuggling drugs and people to Europe follow important migration and trade routes. With the complexity of the existing OC network structures, there is a global consensus of the need for some type of action. To address this complex issue, initiatives will require a lot of time, a multi-level strategy, and cooperation among an interdisciplinary spectrum of key actors.