Europol: Balkan criminals part of large-scale cocaine smuggling

(Patria) - Several different criminal networks, composed of members originating from the former Yugoslav republics of Montenegro, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, are involved in large-scale smuggling, including financing and distribution, of cocaine from South America to various European destinations and beyond, according to today's Europol report on the EU's organized crime threat.

This information was presented by Europol and reported by Radio Television of Montenegro (RTCG).

"They are characterized by a strong presence throughout the EU and the Western Balkans. They have also established a very strong presence in Latin America, exploiting opportunities for corruption in key ports and shipping companies, thus exercising comprehensive control over the cocaine supply," the Europol report states, adding that some of these groups are heavily involved in various forms of violence, professional kidnappings and executions, corruption, money laundering, arms and explosives trafficking, and forged documents.

As noted, there are also criminal groups composed of members of multiple nationalities, and they often operate in EU member states while maintaining close ties with their regions of origin outside the EU. They are bound by a common culture, language and history, the report says.

"These networks often combine membership from different Western Balkan countries and are often focused on Serbian nationals. Among them are nationals of Albania, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Netherlands, Germany, Montenegro, Slovenia and Turkey. Their main criminal activity is drug trafficking, primarily cocaine and cannabis, and to a lesser extent synthetic drugs and heroin. They are also involved in organized property crime, tobacco smuggling and human trafficking for sexual exploitation. They primarily operate in Belgium, Colombia, Croatia, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the Western Balkan countries. For some criminal networks, there are no specific patterns in terms of national composition," Europol points out.

"These criminal activities have a serious impact on the EU and its citizens. Not all criminal networks use violence and corruption to maintain their operations, but when they do, it increases their level of threat," Europol concluded.