Organized Crime and Coruption Project

The origins of Darko Šarić’s fortune remain unclear despite his letter to special prosecutors that his media-related business dealings and not drugs explain his wealth.

By Stevan Dojčinović

Darko Šarić, under increasing pressure as business associates head to prison for deals he planned, claims his wealth comes not from crime but from selling a popular newsstand chain for €30 million.

The Serbian Ministry of Interior (MUP) twice issued permits to a security firm operating out of an apartment associated with fugitive drug dealer Darko Šarić, who allegedly tried to import 2.7 tons of cocaine from South America.

MUP issued permits in 2006 and 2007 to Total Security System and owner Marko Šarić allowing them to procure and possess eight guns,

Ten years ago, the names of globe-trotting and elusive arms traffickers like Viktor Bout, Jacques Monsieur and Monzer Al-Kassar appeared only in the pages of the UN reports and newspaper accounts that detailed the dealers’ disregard of sanctions, as well as their contributions to death and mayhem in the world’s war zones.

 

Warnings about Eastern European cybercrime that counterfeits cards and drains bank accounts have increased in the past six months. Groups from the region have targeted large retailers, banks and card-processing agencies.

By the Center for Investigative Journalism in Sarajevo.
Naser Kelmendi has been identified as the leader of one of the best organized criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking in the region, with his sons as associates. But why are they allowed to carry weapons, supposedly for their protection, or to import armored cars from the US? 

Disposable phones, as anyone who’s watched the addictive HBO police drama The Wire may know, are ideal for criminals. They can buy the phones anonymously, use them for a week or so and throw them away before police figure out the number, much less get authorization to tap the phones.

 

Green isn’t just a color anymore. From solar energy to organic food, “green” describes loads of up-and-coming industries, which means money and that, in turn, means organized crime and corruption are not far behind.

Investors can’t resist the lure of striking it rich and that mentality is a goldmine for scammers. Preying on investors’ fever for treasure they make money on worthless gold, oil, diamond and iron ore claims. Modern technology makes it easier for investors to guard against being cheated – but it still happens every day.

When Gennadiy Petrov and Alexander Malyshev were arrested in Operation Troyka by Spanish police, investigators were offered a glimpse into Russia's past and present, as well as a glimpse of how things have worked since 1990.