Drug trade is Europe's biggest problem
2013-03-19 21:24
The Hague - An estimated 3 600 organised crime gangs are
active in Europe, the continent's policing agency revealed on Tuesday, mainly
trading in illegal drugs including supplying some 124 tons of cocaine annually.
"International drug trafficking remains the most
active organised crime activity," Europol said in a statement as it
released its "Serious and Organised Crime Threat Assessment" report
from its headquarters in The Hague.
Around 30%, or 1 080, of criminal groups were involved in
drug trafficking to the continent, but other crimes linked to the ongoing
economic crisis and the Internet were also on the rise, Europol said.
Cannabis was the most popular drug in Europe with 23
million users smoking an estimated 1 300 tons of cannabis resin and 1 200 tons
of herbal cannabis every year.
Cocaine remained second-most popular, with an estimated 4
million users consuming 124 tons of powder every year, Europol said.
The 46-page report - which Europol said was its most
detailed study ever into organised crime - warned of a new breed of criminal
gang on the rise, spurred on by the eurozone crisis and online activity.
"These groups are no longer defined by their
nationality or specialisation in one area of crime but by an ability to operate
on an international basis, with a business-like focus on maximising profit and
minimising risk," Europol's chief Rob Wainwright said.
"They are the epitome of our new globalised
society," he said.
The economic crisis has seen gangs shifting their
activities from counterfeiting luxury items to daily consumer goods including
food, detergents, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
It has also given rise to increased human trafficking as
"growing demand for cheap products and services stimulates the expansion
of a shadow economy in which migrant labour is exploited".
Wainwright warned that cost-cutting as a result of the
cash crunch, especially when it came to law enforcement, will allow organised
crime groups to operate more easily and remain undetected for longer.
Europol's latest report will be sent to its 27-member
states to help it define crime-fighting priorities in the coming four years,
the organisation said.
