ORGANISED CRIME IN THE EU

Date: 17/04/1997

Member states regularly monitor the activities of organised crime gangs on their soil. Although firm evidence is hard to come by, below is a summary of key problems identified:

Austria:

Groups from Albania and former Yugoslavia are involved in pimping, drug trafficking and burglary. Gangs from other central and eastern European states (CEECs) are also active. Russian crime gangs are present and the Italian Camorra and Cosa Nostra operate money-laundering operations. Turkish gangs are involved in importing heroin via the Balkans.

Belgium:

Most gangs operate internationally. Main links are with the Netherlands, Germany, Russia, Ukraine and Turkey. There are additional contacts with the Italian Mafia and Colombian drug cartels. Police enquiries point to money-laundering links with legitimate businesses. Their investigations also suggest the involvement of organised crime in the recent spate of child abductions.

Denmark:

Motorcycle gangs are the highest profile groups, with three chapters of Hell's Angels and Banditos backed up by numerous 'satellite' gangs. They are involved in the sale of firearms and amphetamines. Groups from Poland, former Yugoslavia and other CEECs are active in the drugs trade, vehicle theft and burglary. Half of the heroin currently entering Denmark is controlled by Pakistani and Turkish gangs.

Links with the Colombian cartels account for a significant percentage of cocaine imports.

Finland:

Organised crime is relatively underdeveloped with around ten groups, including two motorcycle gangs. All are based in the south of the country. One has links with the Netherlands and is thought to be involved in drug trafficking. Others are involved in the illegal sale of cigarettes and alcohol, forgery, theft and fraud.

France:

France's geographical position on one of Europe's main 'drug routes' means much crime is drug related. Gangs have links with Spain, Poland, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Albania, Turkey, Columbia, Argentina, Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco. Investigations have uncovered links between the drug trade and art thefts. Car-theft rings transport stolen vehicles to Poland, Africa, South America and Asia. Money laundering is prevalent with

Russian and Italian gangs using the Côte d'Azur as a favourite base.

Germany:

Most groups are involved in the 'classic' areas of criminal activity such as drug trafficking, prostitution and various theft rings. Only seven of a total of 572 known organisations comprise more than 100 members. Around 70&percent; of criminal activity has an international element and there are strong links with Italy, Turkey, Vietnam, Poland, and former Yugoslavia. Organised crime costs Germany an estimated 5.4 billion ecu a year.

Greece:

Greece does not appear to be a particular target. Three very small groups were recently discovered. The first comprised four Albanians, the second seven Bulgarians and one Greek, and the third one Greek and two Italians. The groups were involved in vehicle theft, illegal customs searches and trafficking in art treasures.

Ireland:

There are eight main gangs, all based in Dublin. They are principally involved in drug trafficking and armed robbery, but are active to a lesser extent in vehicle theft, trafficking in firearms and extortion rackets. Gangs are well structured with strict codes of conduct and harsh penalties - including execution - for members. All eight have extensive links with foreign counterparts. There are some 75 smaller gangs who tend to confine their activities to Ireland and are not generally involved in the drugs trade.

Italy

The four traditional mafia organisations - the Sicilian Mafia, the Camorra, the 'Ndrangheta and the Criminalità Pugliese - control most major organised crime in Italy. The Chinese triads, Colombian cartels, Turkish clans and some Russian gangs are also present. The Italian gangs are involved in drugs, extortion, public corruption, trafficking in arms, illegal disposal of toxic waste and money laundering. They own many legal as well as illegal businesses world-wide.

Luxembourg:

Luxembourg's secretive banking laws make it an attractive location for money launderers and many investigations are currently under way. Russian groups are known to have operations in the Grand Duchy. Italian, Chinese and ex-Yugoslavian gangs are also thought to be active.

The Netherlands:

The drug trade is by far the largest area for criminal activity. National groups tend to be fairly loose associations involved in the sale of soft drugs. Around 15 'international' gangs have been identified which are primarily responsible for introducing hard drugs into the country. Other areas of activity include car theft, extortion and trafficking in human beings.

Portugal:

Drug trafficking, kidnapping, murder and car theft are the main areas for criminal activity. Groups from France, the Netherlands, Romania, Italy, Switzerland, Turkey, Cap Vert, Venezuela, Colombia, Germany, Brazil, Morocco, the USA and Canada are all active with the Colombians dominating the drug trade.

Spain:

Around a third of identified groups are exclusively Spanish. Some 16&percent; are made up of foreign nationals with the remaining 48&percent; a 'mixture'. Links exist with Colombia, Morocco, Portugal and Argentina. The South Americans concentrate their activities in Madrid, Catalonia and the eastern Mediterranean coast. African gangs are more prevalent in the South. Drug trafficking is by far the largest single activity.

Sweden:

Organised crime is fragmented. Money laundering is carried out predominantly by Iranian gangs which are also involved in social security fraud. The country's liberal refugee policy means trafficking in human beings is particularly prevalent, with Russian, Iraqi, Iranian, Ethiopian and Somalian gangs all thought to be involved. Domestic groups produce child pornography and home-grown motorcycle gangs are involved in drug trafficking and racketeering.

United Kingdom:

Drug trafficking is the main activity. British gangs are often organised along family lines and are also active in car theft, armed robbery and forgery. Turkish gangs are responsible for around 80&percent; of heroin imports into the UK. They tend to be based in London with extensive local contacts in other cities. The market in crack cocaine is dominated by Caribbean-based groups.