Organized Crime in Kosovo: A Comprehensive Analysis of Narcotics and Human Trafficking (2019-2023)
Keywords:
Kosovo, Balkan route, drug trafficking, human trafficking
Abstract
Organized crime poses an imminent threat in our society, driven by the pursuit of rapid wealth and power. The path to amassing large profits in a short time leads to various criminal activities, such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, and counterfeit goods, reaching global instances. This research is mainly about the Republic of Kosovo. The intent is to analyze organized crime from 2019 to 2023, taking a comprehensive interest in drug and human trafficking. Post-war countries usually struggle with extensive criminal networks that cause internal turmoil; as seen in Kosovo. Fostering criminal cooperation and battling corruption while providing security and safety remain significant internal issues. Its favorable location along the Balkan route and a pathway to illicit activities driven by criminal groups with destination Europe. Additionally, using a mixed-method approach, the research offers a holistic perspective on the changes over the years, emphasizing key enforcement challenges. It also uncovers how criminal networks take advantage of security challenges and legislative gaps to operate freely. Furthermore, the study concludes that stricter enforcement laws and intensified anti-corruption efforts are urgently needed. Improving security policies and practices, with a focus on greater collaboration with other Balkan countries, enhancing border control, and tightening oversight in northern Kosovo are also priorities. Implementing the proposed measures would improve Kosovo's fight against organized crime and serve as a combat model for other Balkan countries.
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References
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2. Agence France-Presse. (1998, June 9). Major Italian drug bust breaks Kosovo arms trafficking.
3. Bailey, D. (2018). How organized crime inhibits development in Kosovo. For us. Retrieved August 17, 2024, from https://www.foraus.ch/posts/how-organized-crime-inhibits-development-in-kosovo/
4. Chen, J. (2024, February 13). Wholesaling. Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/w/wholesaling.asp
5. The Criminal Code of the Republic of Kosovo, Code No. 06/L-074 (2019, January 14). https://gzk.rks-gov.net/ActDocumentDetail.aspx?ActID=18413
6. Collier, P., Hoeffler, A., & Söderbom, M. (2008). Post-conflict risks.
7. Journal of Peace Research, 45(4), 461-478. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022343308091356
8. Darby, J. P. (2006). Violence and reconstruction (1st ed.). University of Notre Dame Press.
9. European Parliament. (2021). Cooperation in the fight against organized crime in the Western Balkans. Retrieved from:https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/ATAG/2021/698838/EPRS_ATA(2021)698838_EN.pdf
10. European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. (2022). Cannabis cultivation and trafficking in the Western Balkans. European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA).
11. European Union Drugs Agency & Europol. (2023). EU drug market: Heroin and other opioids — Criminal networks operating in the heroin market. Lisbon: European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA).
12. European Commission. (2023). Key findings of the 2023 report on Kosovo. Retrieved from: Key findings of the 2023 Report on Kosovo (Europa. eu)
13. European Union Drugs Agency. (2024). EU drug market: Heroin and other opioids—trafficking and supply. European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA).
14. Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime. (2022). Indoor cannabis cultivation is a growing industry in Kosovo. Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime. Retrieved from: Indoor cannabis cultivation is a growing industry in Kosovo. | Risk Bulletin #15: May 2023 (globalinitiative.net)
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16. Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime. (2024). Illicit financial flows in the Western Balkans. Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime. Retrieved from Illicit financial flows in the Western Balkans | Global Initiative
17. Grotius, H. (1625). The law of war and peace in three books (3rd ed.). Kessinger Publishing, LLC.
18. Haziri, F. (2017, February 25). Fighting organized crime. Marshall Center. https://www.marshallcenter.org/sites/default/files/files/2020-09/pC_V7N3_en_Haziri.pdf
19. Hodgman, K. M. (2021). Differences between cocaine and crack. American Addiction Centers. https://americanaddictioncenters.org/stimulants/cocaine/differences-with-crack
20. Jane's Intelligence Review. (1995, February 1). The 'Balkan Medellin'.
21. Kemp, A., Amerhauser, A., & Scaturro, G. (2021). Analyzing the flow of people, drugs, and money in the Western Balkans. Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime. Retrieved from: Spot-Prices-Analyzing-flows-of-people-drugs-and-money-in-the-Western-Balkans-1.pdf (globalinitiative.net)
22. Kosovo Police. (2023). Annual work report of the Kosovo Police, 2023. Police of Kosovo.
23. Krasniqi, K. (2016). Organized crime in the Balkans. Scientific Journal, pp. 204–220.
24. Kurtenbach, S., & Rettberg, A. (2020). War economies and post-war crime. New York: Routledge.
25. LAW No. 04/L-031: For international legal cooperation in criminal matters. (2013). Official Gazette of the Republic of Kosovo. Retrieved from: https://gzk.rks-gov.net/ActDetail.aspx?ActID=8871&langid=2
26. Omelicheva, M. Y., & Markowitz, L. (2021). Rethinking intersections of crime and terrorism: Insights from political economies of violence. Oxford University Press.
27. National Narcotics Intelligence Consumers Committee. (1996). The NNICC report 1996: The supply of illicit drugs to the United States.
28. National Security Council. (2023). Strategy to combat transnational organized crime.
29. Naveed, S. (2024, July 9). Indica vs. Sativa: What is the difference? Verywell Health. Retrieved from: https://www.verywellhealth.com/indica-vs-sativa-1123887
30. Professionals in Humanitarian Assistance and Protection (PHAP). (2021). PHAP: Professionals in humanitarian assistance and protection. Retrieved from: https://phap.org/PHAP/PHAP/Themes/ICL.aspx
31. Podvorica, A. (2015). Legal elaboration, principles, and the process of integrated border management: Observation of the legal framework of Kosovo. Legal Elaboration, Principles and the Process of Integrated Border Management. Observation of the Legal Framework of Kosovo | Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences (richtmann.org)
32. Ruscica, R. (1998), October 15. Albanian mafia: This is how it helps the Kosovo guerrilla fighters. Corriere della Sera.
33. Salihu, I. (2016). E drejta penale ndërkombëtare. Prishtine: UBT.
34. Schneider, F. (2010). Money laundering and financial means. DIW Berlin, 26.
35. The Global Initiative. (2021). Anti-corruption implementation report on the Balkan countries.
36. U.S. Government Interagency. (2000). International crime threat assessment (Vol. IV).
37. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2005). International public law and transnational law.
38. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2013). Business, corruption, and crime in Kosovo.
39. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2023). Key issues: Structural factors. Retrieved from:https://www.unodc.org/e4j/en/organized-crime/module-6/key-issues/structural-factors.html
40. Wilson, J. (2020). Human security in world affairs: Problems and opportunities (2nd ed.).
41. https://www.resurrectionofgavinstonemovie.com/what-are-the-four-types-of-organized-crime/
42. UNODC. (2022). Drug market trends: Cannabis opioids, World drug report 2022.
43. Indoor cannabis cultivation is a growing industry in Kosovo. | Risk Bulletin #15, May 2023. https://riskbulletins.globalinitiative.net/see-obs-015/03-indoor-cannabis-cultivation-a-growing-industry.html
44. Yaminotantei. (n.d.). How does the Yakuza handle money laundering? https://www.yaminotantei.org/post/how-does-the-yakuza-handle-money-laundering
45. Xhafo, J. (2012). E drejta penale ndërkombëtare. Tirana: Institute of Public Law.
Published
2024-10-19
How to Cite
Daci, G. (2024). Organized Crime in Kosovo: A Comprehensive Analysis of Narcotics and Human Trafficking (2019-2023). European Scientific Journal, ESJ, 34, 366. Retrieved from https://eujournal.org/index.php/esj/article/view/18669
Section
ESI Preprints
Copyright (c) 2024 Greta Daci
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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