3600 Organized Crime Groups Currently Active in the EU
Homeland Security Digital Library Blog 2013-03-20
Summary:
Europol released the report “2013 EU Serious and Organised Crime Threat Assessment (SOCTA)”. The report finds that drug trafficking continues to be the most active crime activity, however, the report also warns of a new type of criminal groups that are exploiting the economic crisis and the internet.
From the Europol press release: “The 2013 Serious and Organised Crime Threat Assessment (SOCTA) delivers a set of recommendations based on an in-depth analysis of the major crime threats facing the EU. The report draws on significant intelligence collected from law enforcement agencies in the EU Member States, other EU Agencies, and Europol’s own databases. The Council of Justice and Home Affairs Ministers will use the report’s findings and recommendations to define priorities for the next four years.
Based on analysis of the prevailing threats the SOCTA 2013 has identified the crime areas which require the greatest concerted action by EU Member States and other actors to ensure the most effective impact on the general threat. These threats include crime areas that have recently gained significance or were not regarded as priority areas earlier, but now stand out against other crime threats because of their impact on society. The priorities identified in the report are:
• Facilitation of illegal immigration • Trafficking in human beings • Counterfeit goods with an impact on public health and safety • Missing Trader Intra Community (MTIC) fraud • Synthetic drugs production and poly-drug trafficking in the EU • Cybercrime • Money laundering”