Map of crime in Albania / Cities where criminal gangs operate, including powerful businessmen

2024-04-04 15:49:00, Kronika CNA

Map of crime in Albania / Cities where criminal gangs operate, including

The Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime published today the report for 2023 where a sector is dedicated to organized crime, the general features of Albanian criminal groups, how they operate and their characteristics.

SPAK states in the report that during 2023, criminal groups have sophisticated their actions and have international reach.

According to the Special Prosecutor's Office, criminal groups usually have up to 15 members.

"The structure of these groups depends mainly on the type of criminal activity, the duration, the area where they operate and their extent in the international criminal markets. From the investigations of 2023, it is noted that some of the criminal groups known in the country already show how much they have achieved to sophisticated their actions, this and as a result of clashes with other rival groups. These groups are poly-criminal and also extend to international criminal markets mainly in South America, the European Union (EU) and Great Britain. The presence of of them in Albania, and the influence in the areas where they operate in the community continues to remain considerable. The structure of these criminal groups is hierarchical with clear divisions of roles, and with an average number of members of 10-15 people. Their connections are based on family and social. The decision-making part is based on family ties", says the SPAK report.

The report underlines that in some cases they are connected with representatives of the state police, either at the local or central level, who have helped the criminal groups mainly in providing information or following the movements of their opponents.

"Another feature is the involvement of powerful businessmen, mainly at the local level, who play the role of key intermediaries, where, in addition to commercial relations, they have offered these groups their connections in the state police, justice bodies and public administration, mainly in providing information or contacts with third parties", the report states.

The analysis showed that in Tirana and other coastal cities, criminal groups are mainly oriented more towards money laundering. While the murders have occurred more in cities such as Durrës, Fushë Krujë, Fier, Vlorë, Shkodër and Elbasan.

"The analysis of criminal markets in Albania shows a reality to worry about. From this year's investigations, groups with criminal activity have been identified in Tirana, Durrës, Vlorë, Gjirokastër, Fier, Shkodër, Elbasan, Kurbin and Fushë-Krujë. In Tirana and other coastal cities, criminal groups are mainly oriented more towards money laundering. Narcotics trafficking is a visible problem in the districts of Durrës, Vlora, Gjirokastra, Fier and Kurbin. In some cities such as Durrës, Shkodra, Laçi and Fushë-Kruja, the corruption of justice officials has been evidenced. Murders and attempted murders have been noticed more in cities such as Durrës, Fushë Krujë, Fier, Vlorë, Shkodër and Elbasan. These criminal offenses are indicative of a trend in increase in violence and criminality in these areas. In the Fushë-Kruja area, there are also cases of the purchase of weapons and explosives, as well as stolen cars that serve as tools for committing murders," the report states./ CNA