From: Greek Reporter
by Philip Chrysopoulos
Organized crime in Greece generates a little under 3.6 billion euros per year, with contraband products playing a major part, according to a European Commission study.
According to the report titled “From Illegal Markets to Legitimate Businesses: The Portfolio of Organized Crime in Europe,” compiled by Project OCP – Organized Crime Portfolio, organized crime in Europe generates 110 billion euros per year, which is about 1 percent of the continent’s gross domestic product. The biggest part of it comes from illegal narcotics.
In Greece, organized crime generates 3.6 billion euros each year, corresponding to 1.6 percent in GDP (in 2010). Cigarette smuggling in Greece brings 455 million euros per year, as tobacco consumption is at 40 percent while tobacco products carry 87.5 percent taxation, the highest in Europe.
