9 Daut Kadriovski
Albanian organized crime is a major problem in Albania, the United States, the European Union, and other areas of the world. In Albania there are over 15 mafia clans that control organized crime. The Albanian mob is known for violence, torture, and terrorist activity. They have constructed an enormous crime syndicate that is primarily based around drug and arms trafficking. However, the syndicate participates in a diverse range of criminal enterprises, including car theft. Similar to other organized crime groups, the typical structure of the Albanian Mafia is hierarchical. They hold a deep reliance on loyalty, honor, and blood relationships.
Albanian Mafia clans are usually made up of groups of fewer than 500 members. They are secretive and little information is known about the current Albanian Mafia bosses. In the 1980s, the Albanian Mafia moved into New York and began to fight with the Italians. Today, the Albanian presence is highly evident and the organization has come to an agreement with other criminal syndicates, who have agreed to stay out of their way.
In Italy, Albanian organized crime gangs appear to control the car theft and trafficking market. Albanian gangs are believed to be largely responsible for sex trafficking, immigrants smuggling, and the heroin trade in the United Kingdom. They hold a heavy presence in France, Switzerland, Canada, Belgium, Germany, Australia, and Honduras. According to Wikileaks, Albanian Mafia clans are affiliated with various South American politicians and banks.
It remains unclear who the acting boss of the entire Albanian Mafia is, but it is clear that a man named Daut Kadriovski is one of the leaders. He is the reputed boss (godfather) of one of the 15 Families. A Yugoslav Interior Ministry report identified him as one of Europe’s biggest heroin dealers, and calls Daut Kadriovski a “major financial resource for the KLA.” In 1993, Kadriovski moved to New York and began to assert himself in the Albanian Mafia. He is currently wanted in 12 European countries, but remains a free man. Kadriovski gained the attention of the Australian Authorities after it was discovered that he created a drug pipeline through Albanian and Croatia to Sydney and Brisbane.