Controlling Organized Crime Essay Example

sanctions or legal consequences due to the organization's structural foundations. According to the FBI Overview (2012, p. 1), global organized crime and its illicit profits have an estimated economic impact of around $1 trillion per year. Current trends in organized crime are largely driven by relationships and goals, with profit and power being the main objectives. As a result, these organized crime groups are becoming increasingly entrepreneurial.

There are indications that many criminal groups are forming temporary alliances more frequently. These organized crime groups are adapting to society by placing a greater emphasis on various national commodities to boost their profits. Consequently, there is a rise in transnational criminal alliances. Additionally, there is an increased likelihood of violence and structural changes in order to maximize profitability, regardless of the specific operational focus.

These trends are directly related to the changes occurring in various countries as well as here in the United States. The increased importance on the fight against terrorism results in an opportunity for organized crime, as funds and resources to expose and eliminate organized crime are being redirected. The breakdown of the Warsaw Pact leads to socio-political impacts and more countries are transitioning toward market-based economies. This transition creates gaps in societies that organized crime focuses on to exploit for their own gain. Moreover, the reunification and increased links between formerly estranged regions and countries offer new opportunities for expanded operations. Furthermore, significant government instability in certain regions of the world leads to fewer resources and efforts to control crime, providing a literal breeding ground for power and profit opportunities.

Many law enforcement agencies worldwide have a primary goal of countering the growth of organized crime.

However, this task is greatly hindered by legal limitations. One major challenge is presented by conflicting jurisdictional protocols which make it difficult to apprehend criminals who cross state or national borders. To tackle this issue, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has proposed a strategy. Although multiple federal and state entities work together in fighting organized crime, the FBI takes on the leading role.

Various FBI field offices have established organized crime task forces to collaborate with state and local partners, as well as other federal agencies. These task forces aim to combat organized crime in different regions. The FBI's Organized Crime Section consists of three units: La Costa Nostra, which focuses on Italian organized crime and racketeering; Eurasian/Middle Eastern organized crime; and Asian and African criminal enterprises. With its 56 field offices and Washington DC headquarters, the FBI is responsible for coordinating and supporting all organized crime investigations (FBI Overview, 2012, p. 1).

Despite working together with other agencies, the FBI and criminal groups take advantage of their knowledge of boundaries and restrictions to reduce operational dangers. Furthermore, these groups create territories for self-defense. To tackle these issues, federal agencies within the Department of Justice established the Organized Crime Council in order to combat organized crime at a nationwide level.

The U.S. Attorney General's office asserts that the council, led by the Deputy Attorney General, is accountable for developing domestic organized crime policy. This council includes representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S.

The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the U.S. Secret Service, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and

the U.S.

The diversion of resources and funds towards counterterrorism efforts has impacted the fight against organized crime, posing a major threat to national security. Consequently, organized crime has seen a resurgence and adopted innovative and strategic approaches to ensure their survival. This calls for collaboration among multiple agencies including the Postal Inspection Service, Diplomatic Security, and the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General.

A Practical Solution for Combating Organized Crime: Despite the obstacles and legal limitations, there exists a practical strategy to combat organized crime. Evaluating the efficacy of prosecuting these criminals exposes both legal constraints and the imperative to improve policies and procedures. It is widely acknowledged that specific factors frequently impede successful prosecution – for instance, the sophisticated organizational and technical capabilities possessed by criminal syndicates create skepticism and impede the collection of evidence against their members.

Furthermore, the insulation of top racketeers from their illegal operations leaves authorities and prosecutors with lower-ranking criminals to focus on, having little impact on the entire organization. Additionally, the use of complex business transactions and seemingly legitimate operations masks illegal activities effectively, challenging the prosecution's case against charged individuals. Another challenge arises from the lack of witnesses willing to testify about internal operations due to fear and intimidation by organized crime. Moreover, the control that racketeers sometimes exert over local law enforcement officials highlights the existing loopholes in the legal system. This control allows organized crime to make charges disappear or significantly reduce their impact by employing officers, community leaders, or politicians. To address these issues, it is crucial to close these loopholes, prevent corruption from interfering with investigations and prosecutions, and develop mechanisms to

distinguish legal and illegal transactions that finance organized crime operations.

Although the solution may appear straightforward, it is far from simple. Over the years, various strategies have been continuously developed with the main goal of preventing organized crime. These strategies and the resulting legislation have led to prominent members of well-known organizations facing unfavorable jury decisions. However, it is widely acknowledged that organized crime still persists. There is a shortage of resources, including manpower, money, and time, to effectively devise and implement suitable methods to counter their activities. It is crucial to prioritize closing any gaps that organized crime members exploit.

It is necessary to review the current and proposed legislation, comparing them to past failures in investigation and prosecution. This will enable legislators to tighten controls and eliminate any potential technical mistakes. Furthermore, there should be stronger penalties for co-conspirators to discourage corruption during investigations and throughout the conviction process. By imposing severe consequences for those who support organized crime, such as officers, politicians, community leaders, or individuals, everyone involved would be aware of the grave consequences they may face.

Enforcing sanctions against these individuals might make them reconsider accepting bribes or engaging in manipulative actions commonly associated with organized crime. Additionally, implementing a commerce system that guarantees legitimate and accurate transactions for business activities would help identify organized crime involvement. However, it's important to note that the banking industry may not provide reliable information due to criminals actively avoiding these institutions.