European Journal # Macedonia: Veles – Drug city # 04.03.2009

A 16-person drug dealing ring was busted in Vienna this January. Austrian and German narcotics squads say the Balkan route in the illicit drug trade is controlled by Macedonians. The smuggling is run out of Internet cafes in Veles. Industry has collapsed in the city of 55 thousand and unemployment is at 50 percent. But young people can make as much as 800 euros a day dealing drugs. No wonder the gangs have no trouble recruiting new members.