Executive Summary

Balkan organised crime will likely continue to improve its relations with Latin American cartels and consolidate maritime smuggling routes in order to maximize profits and control the cocaine drug trade in Europe. 

There are many different organized crime groups operating in different countries in the Balkans. These groups form a network of alliances to fulfill different illicit activities. Consequently, some refer to these groups as the Balkan Cartel. Others argue that the network is more akin to loosely cooperating criminal cells because there is no overarching head to the groups. 

Presently, Balkan organized crime leverages the maritime shipping system to smuggle their narcotics products, mainly cocaine. These groups’ connections with Latin American cartels allows them to control maritime smuggling routes from production points in Latin America to Balkan ports. This cooperation between Balkan organized crime and South America dates back to the 90s. 

Balkan organized crime groups work in small, mobile cells, which allows them to have flexibility when it comes to smuggling and illicit crime. Balkan organized crime has seen success in the consolidation of drug trafficking routes. In 2023, 9.11 metric tonnes of cocaine connected to Balkan criminals was seized, which represents a 300% increase since 2015.

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