Summary
This report seeks to provide a better understanding of the role and position of Albanian(-speaking) organised crime groups (OCGs) in the context of drug supply in the European Union (EU). The western Balkans is a well-established trafficking region for heroin and cannabis resin (hashish) travelling through Turkey (from Afghanistan) and destined for the lucrative western European markets. Albania is also the largest producer of cannabis in Europe.
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EDMR2019_BackgroundReport_AlbanianSpeakingOCGs.pdf
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Additional information
This paper was commissioned by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) to provide background material to inform and contribute to the drafting of the EU Drug Markets Report (EDMR) 2019.
This background paper was produced under contract no CT.18.SAS.0025.1.0 and we are grateful for the valuable contribution of the authors. The paper has been cited within the EDMR 2019 and is also being made available online for those who would like further information on the topic. However, the views, interpretations and conclusions set out in this publication are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the EMCDDA or its partners, any EU Member State or any agency or institution of the European Union.
- Open access
- Albania
- Kosovo*
- North Macedonia
- English