Western Balkan cocaine trade networks are gaining unprecedented power in South America, according to a new report released on Tuesday by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Crime. The study sheds light on the evolving influence of criminal groups from the Western Balkans in the global cocaine trade.
Based on over 100 interviews conducted between October 2022 and November 2023, the research maps how these groups rose from regional traffickers to dominant international players. Their journey began in the late 1990s, when they first forged links with South American cartels. Expansion followed in the early 2010s, with full operational control established by the mid-decade.
One of the early trailblazers was “Group America,” formed by Yugoslav migrants. Later, the Darko Saric organisation built direct ties with South American cocaine producers by the mid-2000s.
“The major shift happened during the 2010s,” said report author Fatjona Mejdini in an online briefing. “Groups like the Montenegrin ‘Kavaci’ and ‘Skaljari’ clans, Bosnia’s ‘Tito and Dino’ cartel, and Albanian-speaking networks such as ‘Company Abelo’ began to dominate supply routes.”
Several factors fuelled this expansion. On the “pull” side, South American cocaine production nearly doubled from 2013 to 2017, reaching 2,000 tonnes by 2020. As Colombian cartels fragmented, new opportunities opened for outsiders like the Western Balkan groups, allowing them to bypass traditional middlemen.
European demand for cocaine surged during this time, further incentivising these criminal organisations to strengthen their networks.
The “push” factors, however, originate from the Balkans’ own history. The region’s long-standing role in arms and heroin smuggling, combined with the aftershocks of the 1990s wars, laid the groundwork. Ex-paramilitary fighters brought combat and smuggling skills into the underworld. Meanwhile, corruption and weak institutions allowed organised crime to flourish unchecked.
Distinct from older cartels, these Balkan groups use a decentralised structure. Instead of sending leaders to South America, they dispatch brokers—some fugitives, some emissaries, and others posing as legitimate businesspeople. These individuals act as intermediaries, enabling smoother operations with less visibility.
One key to their success is liquidity. By paying cocaine producers in cash, they outcompete Mexican cartels, who often trade in goods rather than money. This straightforward approach appeals to local suppliers.
Integration into local society is another strength. These groups invest in legitimate businesses, launder money, and avoid attracting attention. They’ve also mastered the art of corruption, exploiting weak border controls and police systems. Fake documents and multiple identities allow them to travel freely and elude detection.
Ecuador has emerged as a key hub, illustrating how Western Balkan groups blend into existing criminal ecosystems. The report warns that as their power grows, so too does the challenge for authorities.
European and South American law enforcement face a common enemy: nimble, deeply embedded, and well-funded syndicates that continue to evolve, making disruption efforts increasingly complex.
