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Albania Officials Trained to Disrupt Cash Smuggling Methods Along Balkan Route

Strengthening Capacity to Combat Illicit Trafficking Networks

Durres, Albania - In a bid to enhance their capacity to identify and disrupt illicit trafficking networks, Albanian officials from various law enforcement agencies participated in a five-day training course led by UNODC experts. The training took place from September 12-16 and aimed to equip officials with skills necessary to combat various forms of transnational crime along the Balkan Route.

Focus Areas of the Training

The training focused on several key areas, including:

• Systems Analysis: Understanding how illicit trafficking networks operate and identifying patterns of behavior
• Criminal Business Modelling: Analyzing the structure and financial flows within trafficking networks
• Social Network Analysis: Identifying relationships between individuals and groups involved in trafficking
• Financial Flows Analysis: Tracing the movement of money and assets used to facilitate trafficking

Practical Exercises and Inter-Agency Co-operation

Participants were trained to apply analytical techniques to traditional and specialist investigation methods, and identify gaps in policy and capabilities that need addressing. Emphasis was placed on the key role of inter-agency co-operation in countering illicit trafficking networks.

Contributions to UN’s Sustainable Development Goals

The training is part of a wider programme of capacity building activities for the region, which contributes to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 16, specifically Targets 16.2 and 16.4. These targets aim to:

• End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against children
• Significantly reduce illicit financial flows

By strengthening capacity in these areas, Albanian officials can better combat transnational crime and contribute to a safer and more secure region for all.