Organized crime

Definition

Organized crime refers to criminal enterprises that are structured and operate in a systematic manner to engage in illegal activities for profit. These groups often involve a hierarchy of individuals and use violence, intimidation, and corruption to maintain control over their operations and territory. Organized crime can encompass a range of illegal activities, including gambling, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and extortion.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Organized crime groups often thrive in environments where there is weak law enforcement or corruption among public officials, allowing them to operate with little risk of prosecution.
2. One of the most famous organized crime groups is the Italian Mafia, which has been involved in various illegal activities including gambling, loan sharking, and racketeering.
3. Many organized crime syndicates diversify their operations to include legal businesses as a front for their illegal activities, making it harder for law enforcement to detect them.
4. Gambling has historically been a significant source of income for organized crime groups, especially in areas where it is illegal or heavily regulated.
5. Law enforcement agencies often collaborate across jurisdictions and use specialized task forces to combat organized crime due to its transnational nature.

Review Questions

• How do organized crime groups typically maintain control over their territories and operations?
  • Organized crime groups maintain control through a combination of violence, intimidation, and corruption. They often establish a hierarchical structure with leaders who make decisions and lower-level members who carry out illegal activities. By using threats or actual violence against rivals or non-compliant individuals, these groups instill fear in communities. Corruption among law enforcement and public officials can further shield them from prosecution and enhance their ability to operate without interference.
• Discuss the relationship between organized crime and the gambling industry, focusing on how these groups influence illegal gambling operations.
  • Organized crime has a significant influence on the gambling industry, particularly in areas where gambling is illegal or not well regulated. These groups often run illegal gambling operations such as underground casinos or sports betting rings. They provide protection for these operations through intimidation tactics and may also engage in racketeering by charging 'protection fees' to legitimate businesses in the area. Additionally, they use profits from gambling to fund other criminal enterprises, creating a cycle of dependence between organized crime and illegal gambling.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of law enforcement strategies aimed at combating organized crime and the challenges they face.
  • Law enforcement strategies aimed at combating organized crime can be effective when they involve collaboration across multiple jurisdictions and agencies. Specialized task forces that focus on specific organized crime activities can disrupt operations by targeting key individuals within these groups. However, challenges persist due to the secretive nature of these organizations and their capacity for violence. Corruption within law enforcement can undermine efforts to address organized crime. Furthermore, the globalization of these criminal networks complicates investigations as they operate across borders, making it difficult for local authorities to tackle these issues effectively.

Related terms

racketeering: Racketeering involves engaging in illegal business practices, often linked to organized crime, such as extortion, fraud, and money laundering.

mob: The mob is a term commonly used to describe organized crime syndicates, particularly those involved in illegal gambling, drug trafficking, and other illicit activities.

money laundering: Money laundering is the process of making illegally obtained money appear legitimate through a series of financial transactions.