Drug barons live in the north
According to Europol, the main centers of European drug trafficking remain in the northwestern part of the European Union, primarily in Belgium and the Netherlands, from where drugs are distributed throughout Europe. As experts note, the seaports of these countries have long been the main transit point for cocaine and heroin smuggling.
Also by sea, components for the production of synthetic drugs, primarily ecstasy, are supplied to Belgium and the Netherlands. Incidentally, over the past few years, Belgian and Dutch “specialists” have developed about 65 new types of cheap synthetic drugs that are “exported” outside the European Union.
The legalization of “soft” drugs has made the Netherlands the largest supplier of this product to other European countries. “Legal establishments selling 'soft' drugs have become not only a source of seeds, equipment, and technical knowledge for their production abroad, but also finance the cultivation of products in other countries in exchange for a share of the harvest,” the Europol report notes. “In some countries, groups consisting of Dutch and locals are already operating.”
Overall, the drug business is largely controlled by Turkish, Moroccan, and Chinese groups, which, based in Belgium and the Netherlands, have expanded their activities throughout the European Union. Dutch Turks are also known for bartering synthetic drugs for heroin with criminal groups from Turkey. The Chinese are distinguished by a well-established distribution network that impresses experts with its effective hierarchical system. In addition, Lithuanian and Albanian groups actively participate in drug distribution at the European level.
Human trafficking thrives in the south
The main transit points for European slave trade are located on the Iberian Peninsula and in southern Italy, from where victims are delivered throughout the European Union. “Criminal groups involved in human trafficking are highly sensitive to changes in demand and are always ready to supply customers with labor,” Europol experts note. “Human traffickers seek to profit from the delivery of illegal migrants and their subsequent exploitation.”
The main flow of slave labor to Europe comes from China and Nigeria by air. Criminal structures use stolen passports with photos of similar people to deliver victims.
Chinese illegal immigrants, as a rule, are doomed to slave labor in Asian cuisine restaurants and textile enterprises. Some become workers in brothels serving Chinese communities. Experts emphasize that the closed nature of the diaspora makes it difficult to assess the true scale of forced labor in this segment of the population, but apparently the Chinese constitute the largest army of slaves in the European Union.
According to experts, only Nigerian groups can compete with the Chinese in terms of human trafficking volumes. Unlike the Chinese, they do not have a strict hierarchical system, and women play a special role in the implementation of criminal schemes. “They are key figures in this process, from finding victims to exploiting them,” the police service report states. “Nigerian women typically do not see themselves as victims and work out of gratitude to their 'liberators.' They usually become members of criminal groups, completely submitting to the will of the 'madam.' This cultural feature prevents victims of human trafficking from Nigeria from cooperating with law enforcement agencies.”
Borders are cracking in the Balkans
The Europol study showed significant changes in the structure of illegal migration over the past few years. Tightening border controls has hit “spontaneous” migration, but overall flows of illegal immigrants remain at the same level due to the activation of criminal groups in the Balkans. The financial crisis in Greece has strengthened the position of organized crime in that country, making it the main European gateway for illegal immigrants.
The Greek-Turkish border, according to Europol, is currently the weakest point on the borders of the Schengen area. In just the past year, the flow of migrants entering other EU countries from Greece has increased more than fivefold.
Increasingly, travel agencies are participating in criminal schemes, helping criminals to illegally obtain Schengen visas. Experts emphasize that the “migration” mafia is becoming multi-ethnic, but Turkish groups play the main role in this process. Note that Turkey has become the main transit point for illegal immigrants heading to the European Union in recent years.
“Turkey’s growing role as a transit country for migrants strengthens the position of Turkish criminal organizations, which have already gained extensive experience in creating routes for illegal activities and will use all resources and contacts in the EU to increase profits in this profitable criminal market,” the Europol report states.
The experience of the Turkish mafia is already being adopted by criminals from Romania and Bulgaria, who are preparing for their countries' entry into the Schengen area. Albanian groups also actively participate in organizing illegal migration on the southeastern borders of the European Union. According to Europol, they have rapidly expanded their sphere of influence in the EU in recent years.