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Part One Understanding Organized Crime

1. Part One Understanding Organized Crime. Definitions of Organized Crime. Any group having some manner of a formalized structure and whose primary objective is to obtain money through illegal activities. There is no clear or agreed upon definition of Organized Crime .

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Part One Understanding Organized Crime

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  1. 1 Part One Understanding Organized Crime

  2. Definitions of Organized Crime • Any group having some manner of a formalized structure and whose primary objective is to obtain money through illegal activities. • There is no clear or agreed upon definition of Organized Crime. • There is a working definition of Organized Crime Group.

  3. Definition of Organized Crime • Refers to those self-perpetuating, structured and discipline associations of individuals, or groups, combined together for the purpose of obtaining monetary or commercial gains or profits.

  4. Organized Criminal Group • Three plus individuals; • Social relationship / Structure “shifting pattern of partnership” / “network” • Adaptable to Market Conditions, Social or Political Environments. • Involving Corruption (violence and/or threat of violence), Bribery, etc.

  5. Organized Criminal Group • To provide illicit (illegal) goods and/or services. • Commit Theft, Fraud, Restraint of Trade • For Monetary Gain (profit).

  6. Organized Crime Groups • Small and fragmented enterprises (groups) tend to populate illegal markets. • Organized crime is a profit-driven enterprise.

  7. Redefining Organized Crime • The group commits serious offenses (felonies). • Law Enforcement / Prosecution need to think in terms of groups. (Traditionally we tend to think in terms of individual & specific behaviors of crimes.)

  8. Redefining Organized Crime • Leadership: No designated leaders. Networks are defined by the illicit entrepreneurial activities of key individuals in the network. • Authority Structure: Flat / horizontal structure. Skills, contacts, financial resources determine importance to the group. (i.e. Computer Programmers / Comm. Techs. Financial Analysts)

  9. Redefining Organized Crime • Division of Labor: Different components of the network may not work with each other, may not know each other, but are connected to one or more individuals. • Rewards: Negotiated and commensated with risk, effort, job performance, investment.

  10. Redefining Organized Crime • Size: Smaller the better. Enhances security, ease of communication, monitoring of network activities – group members. • Internal Discipline: Trust, Business Relationships, reputation of group members. • Code of Conduct: Grounded in rules and informal understandings.

  11. Redefining Organized Crime • Internal Disputes: Resolved through communication, negotiation and recognition of common interest. • Public Knowledge: Low Public Profile. Seldom known by a name. You don’t want public, law enforcement or even your customers to know. (Drug Product exception.)

  12. Redefining Organized Crime • Group Membership: Personal Loyalties – family, friendships (old neighborhood, cellmates), ongoing business relations. • Violence: Less use of violence. (It’s bad for business.) If it takes place, it is usually at “street level” establishing market share. (i.e. Gang “turf” war) • Geographic: (Similar to Size) Varies depending on market and enterprise.

  13. Redefining Organized Crime • Reorganization: Occurs with arrests, death or retirement. Networks re-form after the exit of a key member, around new members and new activities.

  14. Globalization • Break down of boarders • Expanded Air Transit (i.e. Parcels) • Communication Technology – Instantaneous Electronic Banking (i.e. cash transfers, “Bitcoin”) Cell Phones, Sat. Phones, Internet (with encrypted transmissions). “Cloud” Technology.

  15. International Crimes • “Transnational Crimes” • Human Smuggling, Illegal Immigration leading to Illegal Labor for Sweat Shops and Factories. Women and Children in the Sex Trade (including pornography). • Immigrants as drug “mules”, drug smuggling. • Illegal Arms sales (small and large weapon systems.)

  16. International Crimes, cont. • Stolen Automobiles (i.e. luxury cars transported out of country of origin) • Trafficking in Gems, Ivory, Rare Plants, Wildlife / Exotic Animals.

  17. Organized Criminal Behavior • Provision of Illicit Services: • Protection Rackets, Loan Sharking, Prostitution, Gambling. • Provision of Illicit Goods: Illegal Drugs, Legal Drugs without prescription. • Conspiracy to Commit Crimes. • Bribery • Extortion

  18. Organized Criminal Behavior, cont • Penetration of Legitimate Business • Extortion(Cannot enforce “illegal” contracts.) • Corruption • Integrating business people and politicians into legal profit-making enterprises.

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