Albanian Mafia

The Albanian mafia or Albanian organized crime (Albanian: Mafia Shqiptare) is the general terms used for criminal organizations based in Albania or composed of ethnic Albanians. Albanian organized crime is active in Albania, the United States, and the European Union (EU) countries, participating in a diverse range of criminal enterprises including drug trafficking and arms trafficking. In Albania alone, there are over 15 mafia families that control organized crime. According to Wikileaks reports, the Albanian mafia has monopolized various international affiliations from as far east as Israel, to as far west as South America. These reports primarily indicate a strong connection between politicians and various Albanian mafia families. According to the Research Institute for European and American Studies, or RIEAS, Albanian Mafia groups are actually hybrid organizations (various sectors of society), often involved in both criminal and political activities.