Organized Crime and Coruption Project

Serbia and Croatia police have set up a secure videolink in an effort to boost co-operation in fighting the organized crime in the Balkans.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/world/breakingnews/serbia-croatia-police-set-up-video-link-to-boost-fight-against-balkan-organized-crime-102281374.html

The World Bank estimates the cost of corruption to the world economy to be some $2 trillion. Contrary to popular belief, corruption is not limited to developing countries.

http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5971657,00.html

Serbia's justice minister says authorities have confiscated euro200 million ($256 million) in property from organized crime bosses since gaining the authority last year.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ipRD0619-EF0J62xnYzAAoweh1GAD9HVPELO1

The Japan Sumo Association has stepped up efforts to keep organized crime out of the ancient sport by banning any people with gangster links from attending events.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5ihOulCR2JvRLMKQALmRJ2gGJIzbw

A top executive of the developer behind the failed $800 million project was charged in federal court with funneling $12,000 in campaign contributions to four Massachusetts congressmen.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/09/01/executive_accused_of_campaign_fraud/

Lebanon has asked Interpol to circulate an arrest warrant against a Lebanese ex-general suspecting of working for the Israeli spy agency Mossad, a judicial source said.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jRApRDKx7ITmT5wHa89JC_IXwYmg

The UN International Narcotics Control Board released its 2010 report. Almost all European heroin originates in Afghanistan and is smuggled in through Turkey and the Balkans or via Central Asia and Russia.

http://serbianna.com/analysis/?p=679

According to port officials, 120 kilos of heroin were confiscated in Igoumenitsa in an Italy-bound truck with Croatian plates. The drugs were found in packets weighting 450-500 grams.

http://greece.greekreporter.com/2010/08/30/120-kilos-of-heroin-seized-in-igoumenitsa-port-greece/

Four people have been arrested after an investigation into organized crime led to an armoured car, which contained weapons, Montreal police said.

http://www.globalwinnipeg.com/Organized+crime+arrest+made+Montreal+Police/3451654/story.html

36.02 seconds is the time it took the Pink Panther gang to commit one of the cleanest jewellery heists in Japanese history - netting almost £2 million in gold and precious stones.

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/world/on-the-trail-of-the-pink-panther-gang-20100827-13vxd.html