WORLD IN DEPTH
How young Albanians are lured into drugs and violence in Britain
Thousands of youths tempted by displays of wealth have crossed the Channel in dinghies this year, ripping apart the villages they leave behind
Videos by the Albanian rapper Marin are a powerful recruiting tool for countless young men facing a life of hardship at home
The Times
From his family farm high up in a remote valley in northern Albania, Roberto Mulaj can admire sweeping views that take in neighbouring Kosovo. More often, though, the teenager can be found huddled over his phone checking out videos by his favourite local rapper, Marin, who likes to wave cash and cruise around London in a Mercedes with his gun-toting crew.
“I am interested in going to England. It looks like a better life than here — I’ve seen it on Instagram,” Roberto, 14, said.
His father, the mayor of the local village, Dobrune, said he had no illusions about stopping Roberto leaving, even if he risked falling into the clutches of a British-based Albanian drug gang. “I hope he doesn’t go but there
