Albanian mafia

Also known as: Albanian organized crime, crimen organizado albanés, Mafia albanesa, Mafia shqiptare
Based in AlbaniaActiveSince the late 20th centurySourcesAlbanian mafiaMafia albanesa

The Albanian mafia is a term for various criminal organizations based in Albania, Kosovo, and other Albanian-majority territories, or composed of ethnic Albanians. Known for ferocity and violence, they are active in the United States and European Union, involved in drug trafficking, arms trafficking, and human trafficking. Their roots lie in traditional family clans (Fis) and the Kanun code, and they expanded internationally after the fall of communism and the Kosovo War.

CRIMENET has extracted 78 linkages for this organization, including 70 cooperative ties across 40 organizations, 6 conflicts across 5 organizations, 2 other connections and footprints in 24 countries.

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FromAlbanian mafia

Footprint abroad 24

1
AustraliaPresence
An Albanian crime group has established entrenched infiltration of Australian society and is a major organized crime threat.
Sources: Albanian mafia, Mafia albanesa
2
BelgiumPresence
The Albanian mafia has deep roots in Belgium, with monopoly over narcotics and arms deals in Brussels.
Sources: Albanian mafia, Mafia albanesa
3
BulgariaTransit
The clan of Lulzim Berisha traffics drugs and arms through Bulgaria.
Sources: Albanian mafia, Mafia albanesa
4
CanadaPresence
The Albanian mafia is firmly established in Canadian cities such as Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, involved in white collar activities and cross-border drug smuggling.
Sources: Albanian mafia, Mafia albanesa
5
ChinaOperations
The Albanian mafia extended its activities into China, including drug trafficking and prostitution networks.
Sources: Albanian mafia, Mafia albanesa
6
ColombiaSupply
Albanian crime groups source cocaine from Colombia.
Sources: Albanian mafia, Mafia albanesa
7
DenmarkOperations
The Albanian mafia controls heroin, weapon and sex trafficking in Denmark.
Sources: Albanian mafia, Mafia albanesa
8
EcuadorPresence
The Albanian mafia has established itself in Ecuador, operating drug trafficking networks and money laundering.
Sources: Albanian mafia, Mafia albanesa
9
FrancePresence
The Albanian mafia has a strong foothold in France, with a network involved in narcotics trafficking and prostitution.
Sources: Albanian mafia, Mafia albanesa
10
GermanyOperations
The Albanian mafia is involved in smuggling heroin and cocaine into Germany.
Sources: Albanian mafia, Mafia albanesa
11
GreeceOperations
Albanian crime groups control a large portion of human trafficking, heroin distribution, and illegal arms importation in Greece.
Sources: Albanian mafia, Mafia albanesa
12
HondurasOperations
Albanian crime groups launder money through banks in Honduras.
Sources: Albanian mafia, Mafia albanesa
13
IsraelPresence
Albanian criminal groups have spread influence in Israel's banking system, confirmed by the Israeli government.
Sources: Albanian mafia, Mafia albanesa
14
ItalyPresence
The Albanian mafia has a presence in Italy, with criminal groups in Central and Northern Italy, and involvement in drug trafficking.
Sources: Albanian mafia, Mafia albanesa
15
MontenegroTransit
The Albanian mafia uses a southern route via Montenegro to transport narcotics to Italy.
Sources: Albanian mafia, Mafia albanesa
16
NetherlandsOperations
Albanian crime groups lead the importation of cocaine from South America, transshipment via the port of Rotterdam, and distribution from Amsterdam; also engaged in human trafficking and property fraud.
Sources: Albanian mafia, Mafia albanesa
17
NorwayOperations
The Albanian mafia controls heroin, weapon and sex trafficking in Norway.
Sources: Albanian mafia, Mafia albanesa
18
SpainPresence
The Albanian mafia is very active in Madrid and Costa Del Sol; a Kosovar-Albanian drug baron was arrested in Madrid.
Sources: Albanian mafia, Mafia albanesa
19
SwedenOperations
The Albanian mafia controls heroin, weapon and sex trafficking in Sweden; the Xhelili clan operates drugs and arms trafficking in and around Sweden.
Sources: Albanian mafia, Mafia albanesa
20
SwitzerlandOperations
The Albanian mafia launders a part of its income in Geneva's economy, restaurants, bars, real estate and cabarets.
Sources: Albanian mafia, Mafia albanesa
21
TurkeyTransit
The clan of Lulzim Berisha traffics drugs and arms through Turkey.
Sources: Albanian mafia, Mafia albanesa
22
Albanian gangs are present in every big city in the UK, controlling a large share of the cocaine market and involved in sex trafficking and migrant smuggling.
Sources: Albanian mafia, Mafia albanesa
23
Albanian-American organized crime groups such as the Rudaj Organization and Albanian Boys are based in New York City; the Albanian mafia is widespread in New York.
Sources: Albanian mafia, Mafia albanesa
24
SerbiaPresence
The Albanian mafia had a key base of operations in Veliki Trnovac, southern Serbia.
Sources: Albanian mafia, Mafia albanesa