Despite numerous arrests, organized crime and the Mafia continue to be highly active, with a significant rise in illegal activities perpetrated by Italian mafia and other organized crime families over the past few decades. It is crucial to recognize that the Mafia and organized crime are closely connected and cannot be separated from each other. This type of criminal behavior has been recognized since the late 1800s, with law enforcement officials emphasizing that it is not declining rapidly (Widener 6). Additionally, the migration from Italy has enabled the influx of many Italian criminals who bring their criminal tactics along.
The Italian Mafia has historically been centered in Sicily, as well as the southern mainland provinces of Calabria and Campania (Worsnop 273). The principal source of income for the Italian Mafia in Sicily is drug trafficking, specifically heroi
...n, while cocaine has gained significance as Colombian drug lords aim to extend their reach beyond the Americas. To gain a foothold in Europe, the Colombians are required to negotiate agreements with the Mafia, which paradoxically safeguards its own territory (273). Italy overall has played a role in supporting the criminal endeavors of the Mafia for over a century.
Scarface, the famous Al Capone, was an Italian-American mobster during the Prohibition era (Nash 79). He earned this nickname due to a knife injury on his cheek. Originally named Alphonse Capone and born in Naples, Italy, he grew up in Brooklyn, New York. He dropped out of school early and spent almost ten years involved with gangs.
In the 1920s, Capone took control of a criminal organization in Chicago after Johnny Torrio (80). This organization engaged in illegal activities such as alcohol distribution,
gambling, and prostitution. However, Capone faced conviction for tax evasion in 1931 and received an 11-year prison sentence. Eventually released in 1939, he relocated to Miami Beach, Florida where he contracted syphilis.
The organized crime melting pot is greatly impacted by a number of Italian families, such as the Colombo's, Gambino's, Bannanno's, and Luchesse's. These families have migrated from Italy and hold a significant position within the system (Worsnop 267). Presently, Victor Orena leads the Colombo family with approximately 100 members while Carmine Persico serves time in prison for racketeering (268). The primary pursuits of the Colombo family consist of loan sharking, gambling, smuggling, and narcotics.
The largest Mafia Family in the United States is the Gambino Family, which has over 500 members scattered throughout the nation. Despite being indicted, the family is still under the control of John Gotti. They primarily focus on activities such as contracted killings, gambling, narcotics, and extortion, with a nationwide reach. In comparison, the Bannanno and Luchesse families have less significance in the organized crime landscape. Together, these two families have approximately 200 members. (Inman E2, E1, Worsnop 279)
The Mafia is involved in counterfeiting and pornography as their main criminal activities, mainly focusing on the southwestern region of the U.S (Inman E2). Although Mafia operations are commonly associated with New York, they also have influence in other areas. It is a common misconception that the presence of the Mafia is only limited to New York; surprisingly, New York ranks nineteenth out of twenty-five cities with the highest levels of organized crime.
According to Trimble (30), several cities, including San Jose, Kansas City, Milwaukee, and Rockford, are among the top ten for major
crimes. These smaller cities also have a range of criminal activities such as credit-card fraud, hijacking, prostitution, and drugs (30). Furthermore, illegal businesses like Nightclubs,
Fast-food outlets,trucking,and garbage collection are prevalent in these areas (30). In the realm of organized crime that spans different cultures globally,
groups like the Chinese Triads,Japanese Yakuza,and Vietnamese Gangs coexist with New York Mafia families while adhering to similar principles (Worsnop 270).
The Chinese Triads were originally secret societies in the early 1900s aiming to overthrow the Ching Dynasty or Chinese government (270). They reemerged in the 1990s engaging in various crimes such as extortion,gambling smuggling narcotics and aliens(270). As for the Japanese Yakuza they emerged after World War II as a rebellion against war participation but have since transformed into a dangerous cult involved in major criminal activities including extortion,murder,racketeering,and prostitution.
The Vietnamese Gangs, often referred to as small groups of street thugs, mainly consist of non-threatening adults without much more influence than the average wise-guy (271). In recent years, several notable figures have faced convictions, with John Gotti being the most famous one. Although not flashy in his demeanor, Gotti presented himself as a regular business man (Capeci 3A). Gotti voluntarily surrendered to authorities in exchange for his brother's life, resulting in a lifelong imprisonment for racketeering. Upon stepping down from his eleven-year reign as the "godfather," Gotti handed over control to "Little Nick" Corazzo.
John Gotti was able to manage the family underground despite being kept in Marion Federal Penitentiary in Indiana.
The situation of Organized Crime, which has been in existence for more than a century, is still difficult to fully control despite the efforts of law enforcement agents, police, and investigators.
Experts
are confident that criminal activities have decreased and continue to do so over time, although the Mafia remains a problem in today's society (Cook 279).
Based on recurring crime patterns and the knowledge gathered by the police, it is believed that organized crime will soon be eradicated.
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