NCJ Number
140600
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 40 Issue: 7 Dated: (July 1992) Pages: 93-96
Date Published
1992
Length
4 pages
Annotation
As the number of Albanian immigrants to the U.S. has grown rapidly in the past few years, there has been an introduction of a Yugoslavian-Albanian organized criminal element as well.
Abstract
Albanian society is distinctly different from American society, featuring a patriarchal organization in which females have no authority, a culture which is centered around the extended family, and a code of honor which involves a high degree of personal trust. These cultural factors, and Albanians' lower regard for life, according to this author, have encouraged the proliferation of Yugoslavian-Albanian criminal rings in many U.S. cities. In Westchester County, New York, a Yugo-Albanian burglary ring has targeted commercial food establishments. While the gang employs generally unsophisticated techniques, they have been successfully operating in a large area around New York City. In Chicago, these gangs engage primarily in burglary and narcotics sales. Albanian gangs in Detroit use a tier method of cocaine distribution to move large quantities of drugs onto the streets. Because these criminals operate multijurisdictionally, intelligence operations should be coordinated among all affected agencies. Confessions are usually unobtainable from Albanians because of their code of honor; investigators need to concentrate on finding forensic evidence. Prosecutors should work for maximum sentences against these gangs, including deportation.