The smuggling of heroin into Europe is a complex phenomenon with profound consequences at the global and local level. Most of the heroin smuggled into Europe comes from Afghanistan, which is one of the key producers of heroin. Smuggling of heroin takes place through various routes that include sea, land and air. The most common routes are the Balkan, northern, southern smuggling route and the smuggling route across the Caucasus. The master's thesis is a presentation and analysis of smuggling routes in the case of criminal groups, the method of transport and the amount of heroin seized. It finds that the most important smuggling route for heroin into Europe remains the Balkans, with the main markets in the UK, Italy, France, Germany and Spain. We know several structures of criminal groups that are not specific to a particular smuggling route. Most of them are structured around a central group, many also have a hierarchical structure and some loose networks. Criminal groups employ a number of tactics to evade surveillance and prevent the detection of heroin. This includes using hidden spaces in vehicles, sending heroin through the mail, and exploiting human smugglers. As the demand for heroin increases in Europe, the volume of heroin seizures also increases every year. At the end of 2019, the Covid-19 pandemic followed, when experts believed that the restrictions would reduce drug smuggling, but it turned out that soon afterwards, criminal groups adapted to the new measures and continued their illegal trade.
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