Romanian mafia
| Founding location | Romania |
|---|---|
| Territory | Romania, Greece, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, United Kingdom, Sweden, Ireland, Italy, Spain. |
| Ethnicity | majority of ethnic Romanians, Aromanians, some Romani people |
| Criminal activities | Arms trafficking, arson, Assault, counterfeiting, Drug trafficking, Extortion, Fraud, Human trafficking, illegal gambling, Kidnapping, Murder, prostitution, Racketeering, Theft. |
| Rivals | Albanian mafia |
The Romanian Mafia is a term used for organized crime groups based in Romania and composed of ethnic Romanians. Romanian crime groups are active in Romania and in other European Union countries, mostly in northern Italy and Spain. They participate in a wide range of criminal activities ranging from prostitution and extortion to drug trafficking. In recent years Romanian organized criminal groups have expanded their criminal activities in the EU.[1]
Structure
Clans
In Romania there are some gangs active in a wide range of criminal activities. Some of these gangs have expanded their operations to other European Union states. Powerful clans are :
- The Şteoacă clan from Bucharest : the clan is considered one of the largest drug gangs in Bucharest.[2]
- The Duduieni, Caran and Gigi Corsicanu clan : Gigi Corsicanu is the leader of the fans of the Rapid football club. The Duduianu and Caran clans are allegedly involved in prostitution, usury, store and home robberies, drug trafficking.[2]
- The Ghenosu clan from Dâmbovița: Ghenosu clan seems to be enjoying the support of several important people in the police and courts systems. The Ghenosu clan has ties with the Corduneanu clan and with that of the Cămătaru brothers and is allegedly involved in drug trafficking, pimping and racketeering.[2] The Ghenosu clan in particular has expanded its operations into other European countries, mainly Ireland.[3]
- The Feraru clan : The clan controlled by Feraru was the one which had a prostitution network in Spain; the leader of the group, Costel Feraru, is currently serving a six-year sentence.[2]
- The Vasile clan from Vrancea : The "Long haired" clan, led by Tătaru Vasile, specializes in illegal sales of contraband cigarettes, usury and car trafficking. In the same county, the group led by Argint Costică specializes in racketeering in Romania and in Italy alike.[2]
- The Clamparu clan from Botosani : the leader of the Clămparu clan, nicknamed Cap-de-Porc ("Pighead"), is involved in the most dangerous prostitution rings. They are also involved in drug trafficking.[4]
- The Rohozeanu clan from Arad : The clan of Uţu Rohozeanu, nicknamed "Stephen the Great" or "Vlad Ţepeş", counts as the biggest and most violent organized crime faction in Western Romania, and already has under his belt a conflict with another important clan in the region, the one controlled by Claudiu Baderca of Timişoara. In 2009, they were arrested by the authorities, but not for long.[2]
Romanian gangs control most of the prostitution in Spain. They have complete control over prostitution in Catalonia, Valencia and Murcia.[5]
References
- ↑ "Southeast Europe Online". Southeasteurope.org. Retrieved 2012-11-30.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "The National gangster network - Print - Ziarul BURSA". Bursa.ro. 2011-12-19. Retrieved 2012-11-30.
- ↑ "Despicable trade run from jail cell". Irish Examiner. 2011-08-31. Retrieved 2012-11-30.
- ↑ "Romanian Human Trafficker Sentenced to 30 Years | Hetq online". Hetq.am. Retrieved 2012-11-30.
- ↑ "Romanian mafia gangs control most of the prostitution networks in Catalonia". Barcelonareporter.com. Retrieved 2012-11-30.