Groundbreaking research provides insight into operations of Italian mafias across Europe
Michael Steward, 24 May 2021
A groundbreaking new report by researchers in Essex has provided the first analysis into the expansion of Italian mafias across Europe. The report, published by the University of Essex, highlights how criminal groups embed themselves in countries and operate across borders, and the challenges of policing mafia-type crime.
Using Italy as a starting point, the research focused on seven countries – the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Romania, and Switzerland. For mafia groups, territories outside Italy are places where they can consolidate certain business or venture into new ones. The report revealed how mafia groups operate very differently in each country.
It found Spain is often used by mafia members who are on the run due to its climate, language and accessibility and Belgium and the Netherlands are attractive countries to operate within due to their logistical networks and access to international ports.
While mafia associates in Romania pursue a particularly large and diverse range of activities including drugs and human trafficking, IT fraud and money laundering.
