The term Albanian Mafia ( Albanian : Mafia Shqiptare ) is used for criminal organizations from Albania or composed of ethnic Albanians .

The Albanian Mafia is especially visible in the United States and the European Union. The Albanian mafia has had a strong presence in the Netherlands for several years now. They are particularly prominent in the cities of Amsterdam and Rotterdam . [1] [2] The Albanian mafia is mainly engaged in drug trafficking, people smuggling and arms smuggling, with links to the Cosa Nostra , the Ndrangheta and the Camorra .

Albanian organized crime today has become a point of reference for all criminal activities. Everything goes through the Albanians. The road to drugs and guns and people, including illegal immigrants destined for Europe, are in Albanian hands.

— Cataldo Motta, Italian police

"The Albanian criminals were special from the start," said Francesca Marcelli, an organized crime investigator for the Italian government. "When they started in 1993, they were very different from other immigrants. They have a strong motivation and are very violent."


“The ethnic Albanian mafia is very powerful and extremely violent,” said Kim Kliver, chief organized crime investigator for the Danish National Police. "If you compare them to the Italian mafia, the Albanians are stronger and not afraid to kill."


Albanian organized crime has its roots in a traditional system based, among other things, on fis ( consanguinity ). From about the 15th century the rules ( Kanun ) of Lekë Dukagjini were used . The Kanun is a collection of traditional Albanian rules that is certainly not specifically intended for the mafia. One of the most important rules is besa , which means that one may take someone on their word of honor. [3]