Alarming Traffics Along the Balkan Route

Abstract

Once a humanitarian corridor, the Balkan Route has evolved into a dangerous conduit dominated by transnational smuggling and trafficking networks. Migrants now face severe risks including violence, exploitation, kidnapping, and even organ trafficking. Increased border restrictions have inadvertently strengthened the role of smugglers, who often shift into traffickers. Since 2021, informal ethnic-based networks have been replaced by Afghan and Moroccan criminal groups, some with extremist ties. These networks exploit digital tools and informal financial systems like hawala to expand operations and launder money. The growing overlap between organized crime and radicalization poses a significant threat to European security. The report recommends urgent cross-border cooperation, improved intelligence gathering, regulation of informal financial systems, and support for migrant-led digital countermeasures to contain this escalating crisis.