Cross-Border Smuggling in the Balkans: A Structure–Opportunity Theory Perspective

This dissertation examines cross-border smuggling in the Balkans, and the structural conditions facilitating the phenomenon, through the lens of Opportunity-Structure Theory. The case study method has been adopted to thoroughly examine the phenomenon of smuggling in the region. In this context, migrant smuggling in the Western Balkans is examined through the example of North Macedonia, while heroin smuggling originating in Afghanistan and the rising trend of cocaine smuggling are addressed specifically in relation to Albania-based networks and Western Balkan criminal gangs. In addition, the historical cigarette smuggling in Montenegro is examined as a separate case. The report explains the most important smuggling routes, such as the Balkan route, and how the criminal networks work, explaining tactics like forging or buying false documents, using stolen cars, coordinating with encrypted apps and bribing or collaborating with border officials. The analyses reveal that different types of smuggling share the same logistical infrastructure and routes. Consequently,smuggling is not just a security problem, but it is a symptom of the region’s historical and social fault lines, the underlying instability, economic hardship, and poor governance.