The European police body Europol said in a report on Monday that organised crime was spreading further into all areas of the European Union.

The European police agency made the announcement in an analysis of organised crime presented in Lisbon, warning that never before had the threat to the EU and its citizens been so great.

It added that there was a great danger that criminals would also exploit the coronavirus pandemic and its long-term economic and social consequences.

The report added that these could be ‘ideal conditions’ for criminals to target citizens, businesses, and public entities.

According to Europol, experts produced the comprehensive analysis based on thousands of cases and data from investigators and security services across the EU.

The report states that 70 per cent of the gangs and networks are active in at least three EU states, and more than 40 per cent of the gangs are active in drug trafficking, by far the largest criminal business in the EU.

The analysis clearly shows a high degree of the gangs’ professional organisation and how closely the underworld is interwoven with legal aspects of life.

According to the report, the gangs and networks are organised like business enterprises, with different management levels.

More than 80 per cent of the networks used legal business structures, and more than 60 per cent of the gangs also used corruption to further their business.

Europol added that money laundering was professionally organised, and a parallel underworld financial system was established.

It said gangs would exploit all possibilities to undermine European economies. 

(dpa/NAN)