Their grip on the region is now so tight that Riviera detectives expect an eastern connection to almost every crime.
"Everything from burglary and money laundering to vice is controlled by the Mob from former Communist countries,” said one police officer, who was involved in the arrest of 69 members of a Georgian syndicate in March.
Although most of the arrests of members have been in Spain, the gang’s nerve centre, many of the bosses now have luxury villas on France’sMediterranean coast, and foot soldiers work for them, flying out for set period before returning home with their profits. "They’re into everything, from the Russian prostitute rings in resorts like Cannes and St Tropez to gassing tourists in their villa and stealing ...
