Malaga most ‘at risk’ from organized crime

MALAGA is the province most at risk of having organized crime in the region, according to the Andalucian High Prosecutor. Malaga is described as the province with persistently high risk and criminal activity linked to extremely serious international activities such as hashish and cocaine smuggling and money laundering.

However, the prosecutor points out that the use of violence amongst these groups has dropped while their ‘capacity for corruption’ has increased.

Criminal groups are structured and have been operating in the province for years, having adapted perfectly to the socio-economic structure of the area.

Despite the action of the police, the amount seized in operations is just a tiny part of the money and drugs which are being moved in the Costa del Sol, he said.

In Sevilla, however, 35 properties and €750,000 were seized, proving that the police operations are not getting to the bottom of the crime, according to the High Prosecutor.

These networks are not only involved in drugs and money laundering but also in violent robbery, intellectual property crimes, fraud, illegal immigration, sexual exploitation and human traffic.

Although most are said to be Spanish, there are many from North Africa, Romania, Colombias, Britain and Nigeria.