xcerpt from report by Gent Mehmeti: "Crime cannot have nationality", published by Macedonian Albanian-language newspaper Fakti on 18 October
Mafia families, which until recently were a characteristic of the notorious Italian Mafia, are now widespread among Albanians. According to some sources, it is reported that there are 15 Albanian Mafia families about which there is accurate information. These families are powerful and possess exceptionally large assets. According to an analysis by criminal experts, these families have an annual profit of around 2 billion dollars. These families were created during the time of the war in Kosova [Kosovo], when they made the most of the situation in order to expand their illegitimate businesses in the forms of contraband in arms. [Passage omitted]
According to official information, 45 murder cases have been recorded in Macedonia in 2004 so far, of which 41 were committed with firearms. The town of Tetove [Tetovo], which tops the list with 15 murders, is now called the "Albanian Texas", Shkup [Skopje] follows with 13, Gostivar with six and Kumanove [Kumanovo] with three. There are a large number of kidnappings, although the level of such crime is still low and normally the police identify each case (all in all there are seven such cases). As for human trafficking, the police have identified 40 victims trafficked by 80 persons. This kind of criminal activity is more intensive in the western part of the country, while in the eastern part trade in arms and narcotics is carried out, especially cannabis, which poses a problem in that it is grown locally. Interior Ministry spokesperson Goran Pavlovski confirmed the above information. [Passage omitted]
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xcerpt from report by Gent Mehmeti: "Crime cannot have nationality", published by Macedonian Albanian-language newspaper Fakti on 18 October
Mafia families, which until recently were a characteristic of the notorious Italian Mafia, are now widespread among Albanians. According to some sources, it is reported that there are 15 Albanian Mafia families about which there is accurate information. These families are powerful and possess exceptionally large assets. According to an analysis by criminal experts, these families have an annual profit of around 2 billion dollars. These families were created during the time of the war in Kosova [Kosovo], when they made the most of the situation in order to expand their illegitimate businesses in the forms of contraband in arms. [Passage omitted]
According to official information, 45 murder cases have been recorded in Macedonia in 2004 so far, of which 41 were committed with firearms. The town of Tetove [Tetovo], which tops the list with 15 murders, is now called the "Albanian Texas", Shkup [Skopje] follows with 13, Gostivar with six and Kumanove [Kumanovo] with three. There are a large number of kidnappings, although the level of such crime is still low and normally the police identify each case (all in all there are seven such cases). As for human trafficking, the police have identified 40 victims trafficked by 80 persons. This kind of criminal activity is more intensive in the western part of the country, while in the eastern part trade in arms and narcotics is carried out, especially cannabis, which poses a problem in that it is grown locally. Interior Ministry spokesperson Goran Pavlovski confirmed the above information. [Passage omitted]
Source: Fakti, Skopje, in Albanian 18 Oct 04 p 7
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