Bulgaria and the Ukraine are the main sources for the trafficking of people in Europe, according to an article published Tuesday in the US "Forbes" magazine.

The article is titled "Europe's Crime Capitals" and focuses on organized crime in Europe.

According to the publication, which cites data from the European Union (EU) Statistics Agency Eurostat and European Union's Police Agency Europol, the Czech Republic is often used as a transit country while Germany, the Netherlands and Great Britain are the main destinations.

The US magazine further notes that organized crime in Europe is becoming more and more intelligent and better organized while at the same time it is much easier for it to cross national borders.

Travel in countries, members of the EU is becoming easier and easier, especially after the joining of the EU by the ten East European countries in May of 2004. Forbes warns the EU that there is still a lot to be done in order to solve the organized crime problem, which in many countries is intensified by widespread corruption.

Data shows that the home burglaries and the auto theft in the EU are going down.

The politically instable Southeast of Europe and the Balkans are a key transit route for the trafficking of illegal drugs and immigrants.

The Southwest and the Iberian Peninsula are the center of drug trafficking from Latin America and North Africa.

The Northeast and the Scandinavian countries are somewhat a final destination for the illegal drugs and for some highly taxed goods such as cigarettes.

The Northwest, particularly Great Britain has serious problems with illegal immigrants and drug trafficking as well. Organized crime groups often use legal transportation or import/export companies as cover-up and to launder their money.

The preferred way to launder money from criminal activities is their investment in real estate while Liechtenstein is the perfect country to do so due to its policy to not ask too many questions and its liberal tax laws.

The full text of the article can be found at:
http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=95163

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!