UNODC strengthens capacities to disrupt criminal networks in the Western Balkans
Belgrade, Serbia, 11-13 March 2025; Criminal networks along the Balkan Route operate as highly adaptive businesses, exploiting gaps in border security, financial systems and law enforcement coordination to sustain illicit activities, including migrant smuggling, human trafficking, and drug trafficking. Strengthening the capacity of law enforcement agencies to address these gaps and disrupt criminal operations is critical to regional security and stability.
To address these challenges, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is equipping law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and border and customs officers in the Western Balkans with advanced tools and strategies to disrupt criminal network and counter organized crime.
Developing a Strategic Framework to Identify and Disrupt Transnational Criminal Networks
UNODC recently led a “Regional Training on Systems Analysis and Disruption Planning” for officials from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia. This initiative, conducted under the UNODC Regional Programme for South Eastern Europe, was organized in collaboration with UNODC Global Programme against Money Laundering (GPML), Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Section (HTMSS), Global Programme on Criminal Network Disruption (GPCD), and Passenger and Cargo Control Programme (PCCP).
The training provided 25 participants with a structured approach to mapping criminal networks, analysing their operations and implementing effective disruption strategies by understanding how illicit products, money, information and risk flow through these networks. Participants learned to assess how criminal enterprises sustain themselves, identify their vulnerabilities, and develop effective law enforcement strategies to target these weaknesses. Through real-world case studies and scenario-based exercises, they gained the skills to map out key actors, track illicit financial transactions, and design disruption strategies that maximize impact. By engaging in region-specific scenarios, and collaborative learning, participants not only deepened their understanding of key concepts but also demonstrated their ability to apply these insights in actionable and meaningful ways.
Fostering Enhanced Regional Cooperation and Building National Capacity to Combat Crime
By focusing on strengthening intelligence-sharing and regional cooperation, the training ensured that law enforcement agencies are better prepared to conduct joint investigations, exchange information efficiently, and coordinate cross-border enforcement actions to weaken criminal enterprises at their core.
The impact of the programme was evident in participants’ feedback: 95% confirmed its direct relevance to their work and expressed a strong commitment to integrate the newly acquired methodologies into their daily operations. Participants also highlighted the clarity, practical relevance, and engaging delivery of the training, while emphasising the need for enhanced regional cooperation and advanced national capacity-building programme.
Beyond theoretical learning, this initiative aims to deliver tangible results. Strengthening law enforcement capabilities will increase the pressure on criminal networks, making it much harder for them to operate, launder money, and evade justice. By improving the ability to disrupt financial flows, uncover hidden connections, and dismantle organised criminal structures, the training is expected to contribute to higher conviction rates, stronger cross-border investigations and more effective law enforcement strategies across the region.
A Sustained Commitment to Security
Criminal networks do not operate within borders - they exploit gaps in jurisdiction to evade detection and prosecution. UNODC promotes stronger regional and international cooperation among law enforcement agencies. By developing information-sharing mechanisms and joint operational planning, UNODC is supporting countries in the Western Balkans to coordinate more effectively to disrupt these illicit operations.
The Regional Office for South-Eastern Europe remains committed to working with the authorities in the Western Balkans to develop sustainable, long-term strategies against organised crime. By strengthening institutional capacities, improving investigative techniques and promoting international cooperation, these efforts contribute to a safer and more resilient region that is better equipped to confront evolving criminal threats.
This regional training was made possible with the support of France, Sweden, the European Union and the UK Home Office, and is an important step in building long-term resilience against organised crime in the Western Balkans.
