The CIA 2017 World Factbook, a main and widely read source of information about countries around the world, has officially recognized Albania as a narcostate. Under the header “Transnational Issues: Illicit drugs” the Factbook writes:
increasingly active transshipment point for Southwest Asian opiates, hashish, and cannabis transiting the Balkan route and – to a lesser extent – cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe; limited opium and expanding cannabis production; ethnic Albanian narcotrafficking organizations active and expanding in Europe; vulnerable to money laundering associated with regional trafficking in narcotics, arms, contraband, and illegal aliens.
The information provided by the CIA resonates with the alarm expressed by several Western European countries about the influx of Albanian illegal immigrants, rising crime perpetrated by the Albanian mafia related to drugs and money laundering, and widespread people trafficking.
