Production and smuggling of synthetic narcotics by organized criminal groups in the Republic of Serbia
Production and smuggling of synthetic narcotics by organized criminal groups in the Republic of Serbia

Summary/Abstract: Production and smuggling of synthetic narcotics are ranked among the five most profitable businesses of today, dealing with highly organized criminal groups characterized by tightness, hierarchical and strict division of roles and activity in international frameworks. Production of synthetic narcotics in relation to other types of narcotics is not geographically limited since the process does not involve the extraction of active ingredients from plants which must be grown under certain natural conditions. Though any analysis of synthetic narcotics in the market complicates the situation with the fact that the exact data of synthetic substances and precursors is limited, which prevents the assessment of the scope of such substances and precursors produced around the world. The Internet plays an increasing role in the process of production, smuggling and illegal trade in synthetic narcotics, which contributes to the usage of sophisticated methods by organized criminal groups. The long process of transition and socio-economic recovery, as well as the legacy of circumstances that prevailed during the conflicts in the territory of the former Yugoslavia, has influenced the development of certain forms of organized criminal activities and the strengthening of their ties in the Balkan region. In addition to Bulgaria, which represents a leader in the production of synthetic narcotics in the Balkans, Serbia is the only country in the Western Balkans where a case of synthetic narcotics production of the amphetamine and methamphetamine team was recorded, as well as the attempt of methaqualone production, which puts Serbia on a high scale of potential risks and threats from the emergence of new psychoactive substances.

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