kathimerini.gr
West Balkan Crime Groups Expand Cocaine Trade Through West Africa
Albanian- and Slavic-speaking criminal groups from the Western Balkans, major cocaine traffickers in Europe, are establishing themselves in West Africa, expanding their trafficking route from Latin America to the EU, according to a new report by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC).
- How are these criminal groups achieving this expansion, and what alliances are involved?
- These groups leverage alliances with Dutch criminal groups, Brazil's PCC, and even the Italian 'Ndrangheta. These partnerships allow them to control various stages of the supply chain, strengthening their global reach and influence. The GI-TOC report identifies this as the most important alliance for cocaine trafficking to Europe.
- What are the broader implications of this expansion for West Africa and global security?
- The increased presence of sophisticated and violent criminal networks in West Africa poses a serious threat to regional stability and security. The report stresses the need for stronger international cooperation, improved data collection, and targeted interventions focusing on key players in the trafficking operation.
- What is the primary impact of West Balkan criminal groups expanding their operations to West Africa?
- The expansion significantly increases the flow of cocaine from Latin America to Europe. This is facilitated by increased demand in Europe, law enforcement pressure on existing routes, and the growth of West African seaports. The report highlights this as a major development in the European cocaine trade.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article presents a clear and concise narrative focused on the expansion of Balkan organized crime groups into West Africa's cocaine trade. The framing emphasizes the severity of the situation and the need for increased international cooperation. While the headline is not provided, the opening paragraph establishes a serious tone, highlighting the groups' prominence in European cocaine trafficking and their consolidation in West Africa. This framing could be interpreted as alarmist, but the evidence presented supports the claims. The emphasis on the threat to stability and violence arguably presents a balanced view, alongside the factual reporting.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral and factual, employing terms like "organized crime groups," "cocaine trafficking," and "international cooperation." While the description of the groups as "very sophisticated" and "very violent" could be considered slightly loaded, it is supported by the context and the quotes from experts. The overall tone maintains objectivity, though the use of the term 'very' could be perceived as intensifying the narrative unnecessarily.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses primarily on the involvement of Balkan criminal groups, potentially omitting the roles of other groups or actors involved in West African cocaine trafficking. Additionally, while the article mentions the need for increased data collection, it doesn't elaborate on the existing data gaps or the challenges in collecting such data in this region. There is also little mention of the social and economic factors that contribute to this issue in West Africa. These omissions could limit the reader's overall understanding of the complexity of the issue.
Gender Bias
The article quotes several experts, including a female lawyer and a male analyst. While there is no overt gender bias in the language, an analysis of gender roles within the quoted criminal organizations is not provided. It is worth noting that the lack of gender-specific details about the actors involved may inadvertently reinforce a masculine representation of the criminal groups.
Sustainable Development Goals
The report highlights the growing influence of Balkan organized crime groups in West Africa, facilitating cocaine trafficking to Europe. This undermines peace, justice, and institutions by fostering violence, corruption, and instability in both regions. The involvement of multiple international criminal organizations further complicates the challenge to law enforcement and governance. The quote, "These groups are among the most sophisticated organized crime groups in the world – they are not minor players," underscores the severity of the threat to global security and stability.