Hells Angels ride into the Balkans

In Southern Europe, the rapid development of outlaw motorcycle gangs, and in particular the Hells Angels, has prompted fears of turf wars in the near future. Berlingske Tidende reportsthat the Hells Angels, who have been accused of managing the trafficking of hard drugs in Scandinavia, have made rapid inroads in south eastern Europe, Turkey and Albania, where they are now in contact with most of the biker clubs identified by Europol in the region. At the same time, large numbers of the former members of the rival gang, the Bandidos, are also moving into Turkey, which is the anchor point for the "Balkan Route" used to import hard drugs into Europe. "There is a major risk that a turf war could develop in the fight to control the market in South Eastern Europe," explains a Europol representative quoted by the Danish daily.