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Where there is no law, but every man does what is right in his own eyes, there is the least of real liberty
Henry M. Robert

Odesa Law Enforcement Quashes Gangland Congress

13 November, 2012 - 00:00

For the first time in many years a congress of criminal “authorities,” called in Odesa, ended in a victory for law enforcement.

The leaders of criminal groups from more than 30 countries of Europe, Asia, and America came to Odesa to take part. In the airport they were met by not only the congress organizers, but also the SBU and oblast Internal Affairs Ministry representatives.

As the godfathers were preparing to open the congress in the country house of the Writers’ Union, Sokil and Berkut police special units along with organized crime fighting units blocked all approaches to the building.

Understanding that there was no sense in resisting, 109 congress participants including 41 consigliari surrendered without a shot being fired.

“Militia officers knew about the planned meeting already in August,” one senior oblast Internal Affairs official told The Day. “But we decided to wait until all the godfathers and gang leaders arrived in Odesa. The operation was prepared and executed in cooperation with SBU.” According to him, the congress of criminals from Los Angeles to Komsomolsk-upon-the Amur was to debate on the problems of redividing zones of influence among Mafia clans. However, there are grounds to say that questions of control over the oil and grain markets were also on the agenda, because the main transfers are carried out in local seaports.

According to oblast Internal Affairs spokesmen, it is too early to speak about the possible consequences of disrupting the congress. But the godfathers have not endured such a powerful psychological blow for many years.

 

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