Brussels (EFE).- The Europol agency has identified 821 “very threatening” organized crime networks in the European Union, many of them active in Spain among other countries, in a report published this Friday, the first to analyze the details in depth. that make these organizations so dangerous.
The study, presented in Brussels, is based on data provided by EU Member States and other countries and is a “step” to understand how these networks work and what their basic capabilities are, Europol indicated.
Networks made up of nationals from Eastern countries operate in Spain, as well as Belgian-Dutch, Baltic, Romanian and Polish nationals, among others.
“Each of the 821 most threatening criminal networks identified is unique. “They vary significantly in terms of composition, structure, criminal activity, territorial control, duration over time, types of cooperation and a variety of other dimensions,” the document indicates.
Common Features
However, there are some common characteristics that make them especially “threatening,” starting with their infiltration into the legal system, which make a network “omnipresent and destructive.”
In fact, more than 80% of criminal networks active in the EU misuse legal business structures (LBS) for their criminal activities.
The data shows that these structures are infiltrated or used by criminal networks “in almost all sectors, including tourism, recycling, wellness and sports associations, as well as in retail and cultural activities.”
Three sectors particularly affected
Three sectors are particularly affected by criminal infiltration or abuse: construction, hospitality and logistics, i.e. transport and import-export companies.
Another characteristic of the most dangerous organizations is their “agility” to “infiltrate extensively” and the application of strategies that allow them to last over time.
Furthermore, they “have no borders”, their reach is international as are their members, although they often limit their criminal activity to a region or a limited number of countries.
How are these networks directed?
Regarding how they are directed, Europol explains that although strong leadership close to operations is usually observed, it is also possible to maintain control remotely.
They tend to specialize in one core business and operate with a large degree of independence.
Regarding their activity, half of these organizations are involved in drug trafficking as their main business, although they are also dedicated to fraud, property-related crimes, and migrant and human trafficking.
Money laundering
Money laundering is carried out mainly through the real estate sector (this happens in 41% of cases).
Other common money laundering techniques include investments in high-value assets such as gold and luxury items (27%), the use of cash-intensive businesses, for example in the hospitality sector (20%), and the use of cryptocurrencies. (10%).
As an example, the report cites the case of an Italian businessman of Argentine origin living in Marbella who uses his companies to hide both drug trafficking and money laundering activities.
Among those he runs is one that imports bananas from Ecuador to the EU and also owns sports centers in Marbella, shopping centers in Granada and multiple bars and restaurants.
An Albanian accomplice of his, living in Ecuador, is in charge of importing cocaine from Colombia to Ecuador and its subsequent distribution to the EU.
According to Europol, Ecuadorian fruit companies are used as a front for these criminal activities.
Networks that use violence and corruption
Although not all networks use violence and corruption, doing so increases their threat level.
There are other elements to better understand their operation but that do not necessarily make them more dangerous, starting with their structure.
Most of them are organized hierarchically.
Most are organized hierarchically, and while strong leadership is important, it is not necessarily linked to specific individuals and in some cases is replaceable (by inheritance, delegation or reorganization) and continues even after conviction.
Regarding the nationalities of the members, the report points to the “great variety” that exists and emphasizes that, in addition to the common criminal objective, “criminal networks are formed and persist due to strong social cohesion”, something that also serves to attract young people.
When combating them, Europol indicates, “not only the main criminal activities, but also the support and subsidiary activities that allow and support the networks and allow them to last for long periods” must be examined, as well as the need for “cooperation international and interregional. EFE
The director of Europol, Catherine De Bolle. EFE/ Imane Rachidi
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