Belgian Police: Albanian Mafia Dominates Western EuropeIn its latest March 19 issue, Brussels weekly TeleMoustique offers an exclusive dossier about the mafia in Belgium where, according to the Belgian police department specialized for Albanian organized crime, Albanian mafia clans dominate, leading in the illegal trade, including human trafficking and the sale of cocaine and heroin.
The Albanian gangs are spread throughout the Europe, the report says, adding that Albanian brutality and networks of prostitution rings have made them notorious and dominant in the human trafficking in the West.
Belgium is regarded as the most important country in the Albanian human trafficking, being the last port before the entry to Great Britain, considered the "El Dorado of the illegal immigration".
It is estimated that up to 100,000 illegal immigrants have been transfered to Belgium by the Albanians, while some observers warn that this number represents the illegal immigrants in Brussels alone, the city with some 1M residents, the report claims.
Albanian Clans Use Kosovo Province to Launder the Prostitution/Drugs Cash
Apart from human trafficking, Albanian clans are most involved in the drug trafficking—mainly cocaine and heroin—and thefts.
According to the TeleMoustique report, one of Albanian 'specialties' remains banditry, ranging from the cigarette theft on the gas stations, store thefts to the robberies of the trucks transporting goods, Belgian police commissar assigned to the department of Albanian organized crime said.
In the field of prostitution, Albanian clans have advanced to a new stage, becoming the ones who are now renting out the bars and buildings to Bulgarians for prostitution brothels.
The same inspector revealed that they are now witnessing massive laundering of the moneys Albanians are making through the organized crime in the Western Europe. Belgian police has found the Albanian mafia is most often sending this money by other expats to Albania and Serbian province of Kosovo and Metohija, to be "invested" in the building of houses and gas pumps.
Book clubs for men are becoming more popular: "We've been meeting for 6 months, and we haven't read a book yet"
After the annual office party blow-out, Colin woke up with a pounding headache, cotton-mouthed, and utterly unable to recall the events of the preceding evening.
When she's hot, and You're not not..... there's better shot at happiness.
Belgian Police: Albanian Mafia Dominates Western Europe
One of our own STUDS (Mehul) has organised the annual International Festival this year at the ISB. Lets get out there this weekend in an attempt to make him look good.
Nice party for John and Gina last night at LeBaron. Herman knocked himself out preparing a different meal for practically everybody, and the noise level was pretty boisterous by the end of the evening. This is the only part of STUDS thats negative, people leave too soon. We'll miss you guys...
Mary and Ian Tod have enjoyed what Mary calls "a very strong relationship and marriage" for more than 30 years. They lived in Toronto, and Mr. Tod worked as a lawyer before taking a senior-management role at a major auditing-and-tax firm, while Mrs. Tod climbed the ladder and made partner at a prominent international consulting firm. The couple, now in their 50s, raised two children and had many friends and an active social life. READ STORY IN WALL STREET JOURNAL
Some pictures from the STUDS Ball. The pictures are available here, and will under the STUD Links permanantly. STUD links is in the column on the right hand side.
Ron and Kat are moving to Paris for her transfer by UPS. We had a going away party at Stofilia last week, and a good time was had by all. Ron did a great job as president of STUDS the last few years, His efforts will be missed. Good luck on your future endeavors, and remember Brussels is not that far away. 
I know this is late, but rest assured it will all work out. In typical STUD fashion nobody really did anything and now its all going together at the last minute. I need to know by Friday the 18th if you can make it.
The city of Brussels has cancelled its traditional fireworks display to see in the New Year on Monday night due to an ongoing state of heightened security.
Nearly 70,000 new companies were established in Belgium this year, almost 10 percent more than last year, according to Unizo, a Flemish organization of self-employed and small and medium-sized enterprises on Friday.
More flights will be offered at Brussels Airport as new low cost airlines add the airport into their network. The Italian low-fare company MyAir has launched direct flights from Brussels Airport. MyAir offers a direct service to the South-Italian city of Bari. The flights are operated by a Bombardier CRJ900, seating 90 passengers. MyAir also started a thrice weekly service to Bucharest, operated by an Airbus 320. As from 7 January the frequency of this service will be increased to four flights a week. With the flexible MyFlex product and the bargain fares in the MyLow class, MyAir aims at both business passengers and holidaymakers.
As if we needed another reason to hate Santa Claus, he still hasn't owned up to his alcohol problem. I used to think the red nose was cute; now I see it as a sign of a deeper problem. STORY
Miss Maxim Belgium is Charlotte Hoof from St. Nicholas, now there is a Christmas present for you.
