The terms Albanian mafia and Albanian organized crime () refer collectively to criminal organizations based in Albania or composed of ethnic Albanians. Albanian organized crime is active mostly in Europe and South America, but also in various other parts of the world, including the Middle East and Asia. The Albanian criminal groups participate in a diverse range of criminal enterprises including trafficking in drugs, arms, and humans. Due to their close ties with the 'Ndrangheta of Calabria, they control a large part of the billion dollar wholesale cocaine market in Europe and appear to be the primary distributors of cocaine in various European drug hubs including London. The criminal enterprises of Albanian organized crime is known for their diversification, demonstrating a high degree of criminal capacity.
The Albanian criminal groups have monopolized various international affiliations, from as far east as Israel to as far west as South America. These reports primarily indicate a strong connection between politicians and various Albanian crime groups. According to the Research Institute for European and American Studies (RIEAS), Albanian crime groups are hybrid organizations (i.e. composed of people from various sectors of society), and are often involved in both criminal and political activities.
The Albanian mafia constitutes one of the highest crime generating elements in the world, combining the "traditional" characteristics of organized crime – its rigid internal discipline, its clan structure, its "endogamic closure" (marrying within the organization) which increases the organization's impermeability, and its internal cohesion – with modern and innovative characteristics, such as transnationality. The massive logistic capacity and the diverse nature of Albanian organized crime has facilitated its establishment outside the mother country and its integration with local criminal elements.
History With the fall of communism in Albania in the early 1990s and the transition to democracy, Albania went through severe political and economic instability. The country faced an economic crisis, and many citizens turned to illicit activities to survive. It was in this environment that the Albanian mafia began to structure itself and expand, particularly in areas like drug trafficking, smuggling, prostitution and human trafficking.
The Albanian mafia took advantage of the lack of government control, the collapse of institutions, and widespread poverty. Proximity to other countries in the region, such as Italy, Greece, and the former Yugoslavia, also helped establish international connections. Many mafia members were involved in the heroin trade from Asia to Europe, as well as arms trafficking and other criminal activities.
In the 1990s and 2000s, Albanian criminal organizations began expanding into other countries, particularly Western Europe. Italy, in particular, became a key focus for the Albanian mafia, with criminal groups present mostly in Central and Northern Italy, in cities like Milan and Rome. The Albanian mafia became involved in drug trafficking, especially heroin and cocaine, and arms trafficking, often collaborating with other international criminal organizations. Albanian criminal groups were highly organized and operated very discreetly, making it difficult for authorities to intervene. Violence, extortion, and threats were frequently used as means of control.
Albanian criminal groups are known for their decentralized structure, with multiple families or clans operating independently but sharing common goals. These clans operate in transnational networks and are famous for their brutality, loyalty among members, and tight control over their criminal activities. Additionally, the Albanian mafia is notorious for its ability to infiltrate legal and political institutions, using corruption to protect its operations. They are highly efficient in drug trafficking, often employing sophisticated methods of transportation and distribution.
Structure and composition
Clan hierarchy The typical structure of the Albanian crime groups is hierarchical. A family clan is referred to as a "fis" or a "fare." Families contain an executive committee known as a "Bajrak" and select a high-ranking member for each unit. A unit is led by a "Krye" or "Boss" who selects "Kryetar" or "Underbosses" to serve under them. The Kryetar will then choose a "Mik" or "Friend" who acts as a liaison to members and is responsible for coordinating unit activities.
According to Altin Dumani, Tirana's Anti-Crime Prosecutor's Office Chief, "Albanian criminal groups are characterized by close family and social ties, but without a clear hierarchy. They operate mainly in small groups and in collaboration with local organizations or with other structured Albanian criminal groups."
Membership According to Ioannis Michaletos, the family structure is characterised by a strong inner discipline, which is achieved by means of punitive action for every deviation from internal rules. Punishment ensures fear, and fear guarantees unconditional loyalty to the family. Provisions within the family structure allow official laws to be considered secondary, unimportant, and non-binding. Since crime groups are based on blood relations, the number of clan members are limited, and bonds between them tend to be very strong. As a result, infiltrating into the Albanian crime groups is almost impossible. Members of other ethnic groups can be accepted only to execute one time or secondary jobs. The Albanian crime clans are organised in 4–6 or more levels; such a structure enables them to preserve the organisational action capability even in case some of its members or groups are captured.
Rituals and codes of conduct
Besa
The Albanian mafia uses the term besa, meaning "trust", as a name for their "code of honor". During the recruitment process, a member inducted into the Albanian mafia is required to take an oath. The oath is considered sacred because it is defined as a Besë. Besa is extremely important in Albanian culture, and is considered a verbal contract of trust. Especially in North Albania, when somebody gives someone their Besë, they have given someone their life and are going to protect someone with their life.
Organized crime became widespread in Albania during the early 1990s, after the fall of communism. Blackmail, intimidation and racketeering became commonplace. A 2003 report by the Office of the Special Coordinator of the Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe remarks that "Albania is the paradise for the illegal trade. Neither state nor police present problem for the drug chiefs: you can buy politicians and it is not rare when a leader of the criminal gang works in some state institution". Albanian crime groups are often involved in both criminal and political activities in order to influence political developments. Albanian Prime Ministers Sali Berisha and Edi Rama have both been linked to organized crime groups in Albania.
International activity The Albanian mafia is a prominent organized crime group that operates internationally, with a strong presence primarily in Europe, but also in South America, North America and parts of Asia. Its international criminal activities include drug trafficking, human trafficking, arms smuggling, money laundering, and various other illicit enterprises. The group is known for its ability to infiltrate legitimate businesses and has established connections with other transnational criminal organizations, such as the 'Ndrangheta and the other Italian crime groups. The Albanian mafia's influence in global criminal networks continues to grow, making it one of the most feared and well-established criminal groups worldwide.
Albania experienced a rise in gangs and the drug trade following the economic collapse during the 1990s, caused by the pyramid schemes in 1997. The economy's reliance on drug trade and smuggling has led the country to be declared as Europe's only narco-state. China The Albanian mafia has extended its activities into China, which was discovered after Chinese authorities uncovered Albanian mafia activity including drug trafficking and prostitution networks. Reports state that the Albanian gangs are involved in drug transporting to various Chinese cities. Further, after smuggling the drugs, they are involved in human smuggling of Chinese nationals to Europe.
Israel The Israeli government has confirmed its concern that Albanian criminal groups has spread its influence in the country's banking system. The Israeli intelligence agency has called for a close cooperation between Israel and Albania to combat money laundering. Justice Ministry General Manager, Dr. Guy Rotkopf noted; "this is an important step in international cooperation between our countries to combat money laundering with the force of law and to deepen relations between Israel and other countries."
Australia A lengthy News Corp Australia investigation has found that an Albanian crime group—led by some of Australia's most wanted men—have established "entrenched infiltration" of almost every level of Australian society and according to Australian Federal Police:
European Organised Crime, primarily the Albanian Mafia is now one of the largest organised crime threats to Australia, so entrenched and disciplined and influential in local communities it has made this a serious challenge to crack.
The mostly Australian run group, led by former Kings Cross identity Vaso Ulić, a Montenegrin immigrant who left Australia in 2005 never to return, was now networked to become one of the biggest transnational crime groups in the world importing six tonnes a year into Australia alone but many more to and from other destinations from South Africa to Europe, China, Nigeria and the Americas with law enforcers from notably the United Kingdom, United States and Italy involved in their pursuance.
Vaso Ulic is an ethnic Montenegrin who migrated to Australia in 1979. According to reports, he became involved in the drug trade in Sydney's Kings Cross area during the 1980s and later came to be described as a crime boss associated with a large drug-trafficking organisation. Reports have alleged that the organisation played a significant role in the importation of illegal drugs into Australia.
It has been confirmed the prosecutions office in Montenegro, where Ulic is residing, has an extensive file on Ulic and other figures in the country as part of an international arrest warrant to break the cartel up.
An internal police assessment relayed to the Federal Government claims their criminality now extends worldwide with direct Australian-Albanian Organised Crime links to notorious Mexican and Colombian clans and cartels and Asian triads including the 14K group, South African crime lords and Italian and Dutch criminal groups, with predominantly Melbourne, Sydney, Queensland, South Australia & Tasmania using motorcycle gangs as part of the national distribution & enforcement network for the Albanians.
Europe Belgium The Albanian mafia has deep roots in Belgium, and was a topic of a special programme on Belgian RTBF Channel One. Reporters tried to investigate the roots of Albanian organised crime but have complained that it is too difficult to penetrate the structure and organisation of the Albanian crime groups, although they agreed that the Albanian mafia acts on the model of the Italian one, whose crime is part of the "activities of entire families" and which has a clearly defined hierarchy.
In 1989, former Belgian Prime Minister Paul Vanden Boeynants was kidnapped in a plot organised by Basri Bajrami. Bajrami was acknowledged by authorities as a member of the Albanian mafia at that time.