Many criminal groups in the Balkans trace their roots to the breakup of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the conflict that ensued. Under a new generation of criminals, these erstwhile local groups, criminals, and paramilitaries expanded in size, purpose, and capability, muscling their way into profitable illicit markets and moving up the value chain. In a significant development in the world of organized crime, Balkan criminal groups are now deeply connected to Latin America’s prolific drug trafficking networks. Criminal groups throughout Latin America now count Balkan organized crime groups as some of their most valued international partners.
