Meet 40 Albanian Mafia families

“Evolving organised criminal structures in Albania” is entitled The Book, which first presented in public material for all the most dangerous Mafia gangs in the country, divided into the territory of the Republic, where they generate money and control everything; illegal activities but also launder money by establishing legitimate businesses.

Who are they? Who is behind them, and what businesses generate the money of 40 Albanian families?

The following are the rankings and deletion of the largest Albanian mafia organisations, as presented in the book:

TIRANA

At least three powerful and structured criminal organisations currently operate in the city of Tirana. They have an early stretch of criminal activity and have managed to resist time because of their solidarity and ties to business and corrupt segments of the state. One of these most powerful organizations is said to have a highly sophisticated hierarchical structure. The beginning of this organization is thought to be early in 1992. Early in its activity, this organization was characterized by violence, camouflage forms, group work, and the lack of a clear hierarchy. This organization, in contrast with other criminal organizations, is thought to have had political motives for forming it. Among the characteristics of this organisation's early organisation (1992) have been the use of symbols of official institutions dealing with law protection, such as State Police and Armed Forces. On the other hand, theft, robbery, murder, or explosions, unlike other time organizations, were carried out during the day.

The cup of this organisation is suspected of being based on blood-related (brothers, cousins and close social) and of having links to former senior communist regime officials.76 are thought to have inherited their relationship and organisational skills. It is thought that in this organisation there will be representatives of other criminal groups, turning this organisation into a sort of dome of other smaller organisations, which mainly operate in the Tirana-Durra segment. This organisation is thought to be part of international crime networks and to have links to the Italian Mafia ( Sacra Corona Unita), Romanian and Israeli. Through these ties the organisation allegedly launders its money in Albania through casinos, betting points, as well as investments in fuel and construction. While it is thought that in its beginning (1993-2003) this organisation has been very violent, it is now suspected that it will be sophisticated not to be exposed to conflicts or or or ordine killings.

It is thought that the organisation will be focused on money laundering of international mafia and corrupt politicians' assets in Albania. It is also Aluded that this organisation has tried to turn Albania into a cocaine production site, creating strong connections with drug cartels in Latin America (Venesule and Ecuador), forming closed traffic cycles (controlled from origin to distribution). The organisation is also suspected of investing in tourism, mainly in the city of Vlora. It is said that this organization has also invested in the media. It is thought that the organisation has strong ties with relatives of politicians within all political camps. Although there is no centre or action territory, the organisation is suspected of having “headquarters” in Albania in the city of Tirana. As one interviewer would say, “this type of organization is everywhere and nowhere, and starting with the performance cycle is [...] even the most feared”.

Another criminal organisation is allegedly very active and is behind many sensational crimes in the cities of Tirana and Durres in recent years. Unlike the above organization, this organization is more violent, less sophisticated, but no less dangerous. The organisational structure of criminal grouping is based on social connection and is directed by a dome of three or four persons with known criminal precedents. This organisation has its beginnings in international heroin trafficking in Italy and has begun to consolidate after 2005.

The composition of this organisation is varied, with individuals mainly from the districts of Tirana, Durres and Fieri, and is made up of new age (20-40). It is said that the governing structure is made up of four members, each having a role in a certain direction (kills, investments, recruiting and drug trafficking). The organization uses highly sophisticated communication using encrypted languages. The criminal organization uses mediators as well as couriers to communicate with the third. This criminal grouping tries to recruit segments within the State Police for information, but also for their expertise, which helps to neutralise police shares. To eliminate opponents, use the organisation's “players” or pay “”.

This organisation is thought to have established a strong alliance with one of the criminal groups that has recently begun to activate in the city of Durres.78. The number of members of this organization is thought to go above 30. This organisation is also “oplicial” and operates mainly on the Tirana triangle Qaeda Durres Fushe-Kruje. It is alleged that the organisation is involved in narcotics trafficking, fines, fines collections (not biting), conflict solutions, and ultimately in real estate extraction or registration.79. This organisation allegedly has strong links to criminal groups across the country and is very fluid. It is mostly focused on trafficking heavy drugs and is part of the international narcotics trafficking networks in Italy and the Netherlands.

Although it is difficult to establish a control territory of this organization because of its flexibility, this organisation is suspected to have an impact on “R. “Former Auto Park”, and “combins”. It is said that this organisation due to strong ties with political-powered people today is one of the most active criminal organisations in the Tirana-Durra axis. This organisation is currently under constant monitoring by law enforcement agencies.

Another highly influential criminal organisation is the organisation's competition. These two organisations have been at permanent conflict with each other for border control and revenge since 1999. Their clashes were particularly strong after 2011, where the murders on both sides were nearly monthly. This organisation is based mainly outside the city of Tirana, has investments within the city and has some kind of impact on the capital's north. It is thought that its strongest influence and control is in business on the right side of the Tirana-Durra highway near Rinas airport. The organization is suspected to be run by a family whose head has suffered a prison sentence and who has managed to lead the organization even during the suffering of the sentence. This organisation relies on blood and district ties, but is also suspected of having links to early crime-world exhibits in Tirana that are still active. With the organisation's chairman out of prison in 2012, the organisation is thought to have intensified its activity. It is said that this organization has invested mainly in minerals. This organisation has a very good protection and surveillance system and is thought to be currently more attractive and focused on the crackdown on opposing gangs.80, this organisation has a considerable number of members thought to be around 27 people.

SCHOOL

It is necessary to first clarify the meaning of criminal organizations that are based on close family ties (“Family”), characteristic of criminal groups in the country's northern area. With “family” involved in organised crime, we will understand those criminal groupings that their organisational structure supports in family ties according to the family hierarchy, beginning with the family head (father or older brother), followed next by younger brothers, cousins and descending to the social circle that mainly relies on neighbours. It is thought that at least four “families in the city of Shkodra will act on the additional “family” which are involved in criminal activities.

These “-family” is assumed to have resisted time because of strong family ties, aggressiveness and policy links. Their beginnings began to appear as far as the end of '80s, when in Shkodra, as in many large cities in the country, violent youth groups began to develop in the city's designated neighborhoods, which were known as “the neighborhood's hardwood “, such as Russia's “Group” “Among these groups were boys who belonged to “family” who allegedly dominated crime today in the city of Shkodra. Members of these families were known for their participation in criminal activities before and during the period of communism. So they had a history of family involvement in criminal activities in the past. These criminal groups are largely based on family ties and control specific areas. Their power began with fuel smuggling that flourished in the Shkodra district following the break-up of the UN embargo imposed on the former Yugoslavia in May 1992, as well as the armed conflicts in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo.81 later these “family” committed themselves to the trafficking of human beings and narcotics.

These criminal activities enabled you to establish links even with international criminal networks. Gradually these families were financially empowered by integrating into important trade activities in the city of Shkodra and beyond. Another strengthening factor is the connections some of these families established with <x0milary <x1-meaphyse Italian subsumptions in southern Italy, but also the presence of the latter in Montenegro. This state is also known as one of the main ports of tobacco smuggling in the Balkans, conducted by Sacra Corona Unita. By 2012 Montenegro was viewed by international media as a “mafia state”.82 The families above in the city of Shkodra are thought to have consolidated their positions in the city and circles through violence and blackmail, but fines against businesses. The latter has been a disturbing phenomenon in Shkodra even after 2005.

The structure of organizing these <x0mil family” is assumed to be like a family “business”, where criminal organizations operate on behalf of the family or family clan. Usually, the head of the organization is the family head, who is replaced after his death by his older brother. As mentioned earlier, the hierarchy then descends according to the proximity of blood to the director of the organization, which determines the importance and roles. So down to the lowest rank comes the first cousins, the second ones and so forth. The organization also includes individuals who have social connections with key members of the organization as well as neighborhood boys in which the organization has its center. These “-family” control specific territories and have their own contract lines. Generally, these “-family” are careful not to interfere in each other's territories, since such a thing is allied to have cost over 20 killed two of the conflict families in 1999-2013.

Following the assassination of Edmir Koci in 2012, it is assumed that there is another restructuring of the city's control by these families. Kochi was considered one of the most dangerous and influential individuals in the city until 2012. He was suspected of a series of murders, including them, and the murder of Chim Cafi.84. A year later John Jeka85, who is also suspected of being executed by the same hand and order, is eliminated because of the very similar style of murder. After these murders it is thought that the <x0-family” dominant in the city have established a peace situation. Today these “family” have clearly divided their territories, where mainly businesses or economic activities are under their protection. Each family has its own characteristics. A “family” is thought to be closer to politics and to have a strong influence on local government on issues related to construction permits or employment in official institutions. But this family is also assumed to be involved in the trafficking of hard drugs (heroeia and cocaine). A “Family” is said to have influence and control in an area that begins from downtown to Dobric, to the outskirts and part of Dukagjin. This “family” allegedly controls light drugs (kanabis) and is involved in international narcotics networks mainly in Belgium, the Netherlands and Sweden.

It is also alleged that this <x0milary” provides files on the black market, and that it is involved in illegal trafficking to the United States. 86 This “Family” is suspected of having links also to one of the Tirana district criminal organisations discussed earlier and operating mainly in Tirana 43 Durres and Fushe-Kruje. It is recently stated that this family is engaged in the so-called “debt collection” (various businesses, in the inability to collect debts, are paying a fee to criminal organisations that in return receive debt from debtors), similar to the “piszo” of the Italian mafia, primarily Sicilian.87 it is thought that this “familje<9 is the most extended family in number and in relation to blood compared to the next three times <10 billion> Another family that shares the city's control territory with “Family” above has considerable influence and is thought to have influence on a territory starting in the city center and then follows in areas known as the one in Jabiye and Zdrales.

It is said that one of its main activities is the security that offers businesses in the area that controls a monthly fee. This “Family” is mostly cautious and sophisticated, not exposed to ordine crimes and is smaller in number than other families. It is also suspected that it is linked to a very active organisation in the district of Tirana that was discussed above. Another family (4), which does not have the influence of money, is suspected of having influence in the area of Kira and is thought to have mainly strong ties with criminal organisations in Kosovo. The number of members of this organization is thought to be considerable and generally consists of people with the blood and social connections of the neighborhood where the directors of the organization live. It is thought that the leaders of this <x2-familage” are trafficking narcotics and engaged in prostitution trafficking in Sweden and Denmark.

In general, the Macedonian district's criminal groups are “kriminal” and are widely using the Velipoja area, the port of Strygini and Montenegro ports to narcotics trafficking. This traffic is done mainly with containers or fishing boats, which take the “to the open sea, which then withdraws from other criminal groups operating in the EU. Criminal organisations in the Shkodra district have also increased their activity in arms trafficking, which transport them from Montenegro through their connections to the Great Mountain. The weapons, along with narcotics, are allegedly transported to the EU through scaffs, which range from the Buna estuary or Vilun Valley in Velipoj. After the sting of “kanabis” in the village of Lazarati it is assumed that one of the “halmbarbs<x7 most focusedly growing of it will be moved to the Dukagjin area, mainly in Pult, Shal and Shosh.88 And this tendency of cannabis production is at risk of bringing new developments of criminal organisations to the Shkodra district. It is said that the income that will bring the already increased price of cannabis to the international market will enable these organisations not only significant growth of economic power but also considerable access to the international mafia. Given the strategic position of the city of Shkodra, the relatively weak shock power of the state, as well as cultural and religious imbalances, “North Headquarterer” risks becoming one of the most dangerous criminal organisations in the country in the coming years.

DI SEA

The city of Durres is also the city where criminal activity is quite varied because of the access it offers to the international market port of Durres, which is the largest port in the country. The city also crosses criminal networks that are scattered throughout the country. In the city of Durres, many criminal groups coming from around the country are thought to have investments. This city serves to some extent both as a meeting point or as a refuge for many of them. 89 that's why it's difficult to determine what criminal organisations “autoxtone” are operating in this city. Characteristics is that narcotics trafficking groups in Durres are small and mainly trafficking narcotics to Italy. It is seen that there have recently been clashes between these shopping groups.

On the other hand, very dangerous criminal groups are likely to be active in areas around the city. These groups are structured and supported by family and social ties. They have clearly defined territories, which they control, and they are linked to powerful criminal organisations that operate mainly in Tirana, Durres, Kavaj, Pejcin, Elbasan and Kruje. It is thought that in Durres a criminal organisation led by individuals with former criminal precedents has been re-activated. This organisation is meant to have formed a co-operation with one of the most dangerous organisations operating in the district of Tirana, described above. This criminal organisation is allegedly mostly activated in collecting business debts and real estate. It also assumes that a long-time <x0-family> known in the underworld and influential not only in commercial activities but in social activities.

SINGLE

This town remains one of the most problematic cities in connection with the activities of criminal groups. Even in Vlora, as in Durres, there is a presence not only of the city's criminal organisations and surrounding villages, but also investments of other organisations, where mainly dominate the criminal organisations of the city of Fier, Berat, Tepelena and those of Tirana. It was also named by the Attorney General in the annual analysis of the Appeals Prosecutor in Vlora in 2016.

Organised crime in Vlora is focused mainly on narcotics trafficking and money laundering, with investments mainly in the area of tourism.

The characteristic of Vlora's city criminal groups is that, unlike groups that were active in 1992-99 (Zani Caushi, Kakami, Gajai, etc) there are no more groups operating in divided territories. Vlora, as well as Durres or other portal cities, serves mainly as the transit area of narcotics trafficking to the EU. In addition to narcotics trafficking, however, areas around the city, especially those on the Vlora River, have also served to cultivate cannabis and transport it, even with small sports aircraft.

According to experts interviewed, the subx0nd division of cultivation areas is done according to geographical affiliation and the origin of group leaders. ”

It is seen that murders in the city of Vlora are numerous and these killings are generally not about territory issues, but about areas of influence in international narcotics and arms networks in EU countries, mainly in Spain and Italy. Vlora remains one of the most problematic cities in connection with organised crime. A prosecutor interviewed about the hottest organised crime points in the country would underline that “I cannot let go of Vlora even from the findings in fact, even from cases that have been tried or from the shocks that have been done. ”

For a long time the reference that Vlora was a city of “preferred” Italian Mafia, and it is thought, has invested in this city mainly in culinary and casino fields. In 2010, Albino Prudentino, one of the leaders of Sacra Corona Unita, was arrested, and only a year later, Giussepe Simonelli, one of the leaders of the Italian “Ndraghetas”.

FIER

Criminal organisations operating in the town of Fier, according to most of those interviewed, are thought to be among the most sophisticated and sustainable organisations in the entire history of political transition in Albania. Although there was a very successful intervention in the crackdown on criminal organisations throughout the country in 2005, the so-called Fier “groups were barely affected. It is thought that criminal groups in Fier, unlike other cities, are based not only on blood and social ties, but, above all, in communitarian (cham, Kosovar). This has brought a certain division of the territory of these criminal organisations, which they control where their community is located. According to experts, there are at least four influential organisations in this neighborhood divided. 1) The “group to the Kosovars” which operates at “The Sqit“; 2) The “Cames “group operating near the main city high; 3) the “madeover group “operating in the suburbs and in the Levan area and 4) the “Group that affects the central area of the city but in Patos.

It is thought that some of the main reasons that make these organizations resistant and powerful are communitarian ties, which serve as protection, the strategic position of the city of Fier, strong ties to politics, and involvement in narcotics and prostitution from the beginning of democracy, as well as investing dirty money in legitimate businesses.

As one of the prosecutors interviewed underlines, “if by 2000 organised crime in Fier used basic money laundering forms - passing property on behalf of family members - they are now investing directly in registered and declared businesses”.97 thought that the first heroin and cannabis labs in the country were opened in Fieri's city.98. On the other hand, it is all - known that this city's criminal organizations have also had great influence on organizations operating in the city of Vlora. It even assumes that the brain of criminal networks operating south is in the city of Fier. Fier's groups have good co-operation with the groups of Berat, Lusja and Vlora. Today, it is said that there are at least two very powerful organizations in this city that manage to affect even public administration and State Police.

One of the directors of this organization even claims that there has been open conflict with one of the most prominent deputies in the south regarding Albpetrol control.

Recently high-profile organised crime exhibits with criminal precedents and known as criminal organisations in EU countries (Greece, Italy, Belgium and Spain) are suspected to have invested their criminal incomes in this city and are thought to be significantly expanding their influence even with political parties, especially small ones.

BERATH

The city of Berat is thought to be a city where organised crime has long invested and continues to be active. Criminal organisations in this city are mostly local, supported by strong family and social ties. It is said that at least three “families in this city have an influence of” with strong criminal precedents. One of the most influential families in this city is suspected to be central to the so-called “Zona of 6th floor”. This family is thought to have been taken since the beginning of the transition of prostitution exploitation mainly in Italy and the Netherlands, and has invested mainly in urban transport lines, fun-type activities and other real estates. It is said that there are close ties with senior officials in local government and uses this influence to benefit tenders from public funds. This family functions as a commercial society, where its members are employed in leading roles in family businesses. Another influential organization in Berat is thought to have strong ties to politics.

It is said that the leaders of this <x0milary” have criminal precedents in narcotics trafficking, mainly in Belgium. It is thought that members of this <x2-family” would also have had contact with the known band led by Altin Dardha. The impact of this “Family” is to be considerable in real estate, hotel tourism and mortgages. It is estimated that this “family” is sophisticated and tries to avoid confrontations in matters of origin, because there are and interests to get involved in politics. It is suspected that the area of influence is mainly in the city center and surrounding areas.

Another influential family with numerous criminal precedents in the city is suspected to be an organisation whose leaders have been involved in heroin trafficking and prostitution in Italy. Even this “family” has tried to forge strong ties with political parties. This “Family” is meant to have varied investments in hotel and lucky games. They are known as a violent organisation, and, unlike the other “family”, they have numerous criminal precedents both inside and abroad. The area where the most influential is to be around the neighborhood “The Chelebiu”. In the city of Berat, there are also members of international cocaine networks that have established lasting ties in Venezuela.

It is thought that Berat could be another destination of closed cocaine trafficking networks with transit Albania to the EU in the future.

The characteristic of <x0-family” with multiple criminal precedents in this city is that they avoid clashes between them and try to also avoid unnecessary conflicts, providing security for family members and acquaintances. It is also said that many members of these “families” have been very active in the 2013 local elections. Their ties to politics are thought to cross local governments, and this has served to avoid even the extraditions required by INTERPOL.

ELBASAN

The February 2016 murders showed that the city of Elbasan continues to remain a hot spot where organised crime activity continues to be present even after the destruction of the two notorious bands of “Mandela” and “Tan Katesis”. The 10-year-old crash between families “Cap” and “Mema” shows the nature and characteristics of organised crime in this city.

There have been at least nine deaths since 2005, when retaliation among families began creating victims. It must be named that it is difficult to understand whether this clash between these “families” was about drug-trace or revenge, since data collected by surveyed experts underscores the fact that criminal organizations operating in this city try to be in harmony, one characteristic even of the city of Berat. Another feature of these groups is that they have civic relations with the community and try to offer them help or do favors.

As in other small cities, organized groups rely on family and social ties in Elbasan. Mostly the consolidated groups are the drug groups. Elbasan is known as one of the key cities of heroin storage and trafficking, which comes from the Turkey line . However, there has also been efforts for heroin lines to be used for cocaine trafficking by criminal networks, which are central and operating in Tirana. In January 2015, one of the largest cocaine labs in the region was seized in the village of Xibraca, where about eight people were arrested, including two <x0imists” Colombians, and some 195kg of pure cocaine were seized.

Meanwhile, other criminal networks have been operating in Elbasan, mainly in the trafficking of weapons and art, linked with other groups in Fier, Vlora and Shkodra, but do not have the stability of drug groups and have been hit in a short time.

According to experts, what has made the drug trafficking criminal groups in Elbasan more resistant is that they are sophisticated, they are not conflicted, they have no conflicts on issues of territory. This is after narcotics is traded in EU countries (Belgium, Netherlands, Great Britain, Italy, Germany, Switzerland). Elbasan is used as a transit country, but also as a trading point for domestic consumption. A dangerous trend in this city is that organizational forms of criminal groups in the city are being imitated by groups of young people in surrounding rural areas. Given the economic situation and the education in the environment, we are at risk of displaceing hierarchical criminal organisations to rural areas.