Organized crime involves the illicit flow of goods and services in one direction and the flow of the profits of crime in the other. Technology has created much change in the way organized crime groups conduct operations. It has also caused law enforcement organizations to evolve and use a variety of techniques and methods to effectively combat organized crime groups. In order for law enforcement to effectively target and prosecute these groups they must adapt as the organized crime groups have in their use of technology. Many operations run by organized crime groups and law enforcement organizations require the use of some type of technology. The dynamics of technology have made it an advantage for organized crime groups who use …show more content…
Organized crime has benefited from globalization as much as businesses because now criminal groups are able to operate internationally with ease just like businesses do. Globalization has led to organized crime groups structure transforming from vertical and horizontal hierarchies to a large number of loosely connected networks. Each group within the network is involved in numerous activities from legal to illegal. In essence an incident at one location could have a significant impact on operations for that group across the world (Milan et al, 2008). Technology has also boosted the effects of globalization across the world. In particular the advancements in transportation and the telecommunications. Transportation has facilitated the mass movement of goods and people across the globe which has not only benefited business but especially organized crime groups. The advancements in transportation has enabled organized crime groups to increase their operations in narcotics trafficking, weapons trafficking, and human trafficking. Many groups such as the American mafia and Russian mafia would not be able to accomplish their operations without being able to control or manipulate shipping manifests or corrupting officials allowing their operations to run smoothly. Although transportation has had a major impact, telecommunication has had the most impact on organized crime. The evolution of the
However with recent crime technology, changes in information management and information communications technology (ICT) they have been able to identify “trends, including hotspots, emerging crime groups and targets” (Chantler and Throne 2009, p. 127) and become more proactive in the field. With the growth of organised and transnational crime, intelligence-led policing is the best methodology to effectively combat organised and transnational organised crime (Bell and Congram 2013). Bell and Congram (2013, p. 19) states that transnational organised crime are “vulnerable to detection and disruption because of their communication” thus the use of information communications technology in intelligence-led practices helps reduce the risk of an intelligence attack (Waters, Ball & Dudgeon, 2008; Jackson et al.,
The globalization of crime has become a renowned problem for the law worldwide; as societies become more interconnected, an act in one country can have repercussions in another which is across another continent. This is primarily down to technological developments, as nowadays communication between countries is simple compared to decades ago. Alongside this transport is also a major problem, as it means that illegal activities can take place in more than one country as goods are transferred between the two, allowing the criminal world to reach all corners of the world.
Organized crime can be narrowed down to five unique areas of criminal activity. The first being racketeering, an umbrella term, meant to describe when any group or groups conduct one or more of the other criminal activities. One of the most successful ways the federal government has been able to hinder the actions of hardcore criminals is through the formation of the RICO Act (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations). The second area of major criminal activity is vice, or vice operations. This has to do with victim-less crimes such as drugs, gambling, and prostitution. Again, these crimes are highly problematic because it is the public that decides whether or not they prosper. It’s all too easy to build a case against someone breaking a law by importing huge quantities of controlled substances across a border, but it becomes much more difficult to stem the sale or need for such drugs once they have reached their intended destinations.
Many could argue that organized crime takes place in our society because of the circumstances in which our society has chosen to exist. It could have been started because of rules, regulations, and laws that we have placed upon ourselves that not every person agrees with. It could be a problem because several of the people within our society choose to live differently because they feel they can. Whatever the logic behind the choice organized crime does exist in our society and has for quite some time. In this paper will take a look at the perspective of social organized crime. We will discuss and explain the term social institution and how it applies to organized crime. We will discuss empirical
Organized crime is found in the United States of America today and the law enforcement agencies are trying to find a way to curb its existence. Even though there are illegal businesses associated with organized crime, they are mixed in with legal businesses to portray a legal front. It also can be called a social institution because it is led by a boss and follows a chain of command much like a pyramid. Empirical and speculative theories have been developed through the years in order for the law enforcement agencies to better understand organized crime and how to deal with it. This paper will examine a social institution as it applies to
The characteristics defined above provide a basis for deciding if a specific group of criminals represent organized crime. This type of information is essential because organized crime has be handled in a different way from those of traditional offenders. Researchers can do a more comprehensive understanding could be acquired from the many empirical and speculative theories that contribute in the clarification of organized crime; this writer would it to be known that there is not one theory that can be applicable to the various groups of organized crime or its participants (Mallory & Mallory, 2012).
Organized crime is often committed by highly controlled criminal groups that participate in illegal activities for financial benefits. Indeed, organized crimes terrorize multiple facets of the American nation, which include the US’ economy as well as national security. The FBI assigns the costs of organized crime globally at one trillion dollars per year.
dominating the drug industry are the Latin American and majority of Asian, specifically cocaine and heroin production. Global organised crime is evolving and embracing new markets and technologies; moving from the traditional hierarchies towards a more flexible, network based construct of organisation. To a certain extent, the legitimate world is a victim of its own accomplishment; the globalisation of the legal economy has globalised the underworld. This has provided the demands of numerous illicit services, and an improvement of policing ironically forcing criminals to become more organised to continue. The international organised crime groups that are working together and with an effect, dividing the globe amongst them. There is sufficient
The term “Organized Crime” first appeared during the Prohibition Era. Bootlegging gangs, centered mostly throughout Chicago, rose up and created crime throughout society. Throughout history the definition of “Organized Crime” has greatly evolved into different understandings, but still contain the basic characteristics: More than one individual committing at least one crime that is punishable by incarceration. As crime rates increased, the ‘United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime’ formed in 2003. Within this document, Transnational Organized Crime is depicted as:
Unfortunately, technology today is helping criminals commit money laundering off of their profits made from drug crimes and prostitution in cyberspace and the ease of transportation and smuggling operations. Drug trafficking is associated with organized crime and violence linked to human trafficking and money laundering schemes that can also support criminal activities in several countries including terrorist activities. The increase of technology is allowing people to shop online and is used for the purpose of exploiting pornographic images and the ease of purchasing and transporting illicit drugs and prostitutes from anywhere in the world. Transactions online cause difficulty in tracing criminal operation because they can be located in the
This thrusts current law enforcement agencies into utter dilemma, thus allowing organized crime groups to become more flexible in their operations by getting rid of an orthodox hierarchical structure that the law enforcement agencies were familiar with in the past. Law enforcement agencies are failing to check the widespread operations of organized crime groups pivotally because adaptive and loosely structured small groups with global reach harm consumers, businesses, and government interests everyday (Bjelopera & Finklea, 2012). Further more, it must be acknowledged that technological and commercial innovations are aiding the transformation of the structure of organized crime groups and such developments have helped to reduce the national trade barriers, widen the transportation infrastructure and bolster the volumes of international business. Organized crime groups take advantage of all such factors and now they are staying ahead of the law enforcement agencies in a comfortable manner (Bjelopera & Finklea,
Drugs, human trafficking, extortion, weapons trade, gambling. These are just a few of the many forms of crime that Triad families specialize in. It is an increasing problem as these groups grow they become smarter, move around, and evolve every time governments make progress. Although Triads and organized crime in China keeps the rest of China’s crime down. Chinese organized crime are major contributors to the world’s smuggling, drug trade, extortion and more. Governments should raise awareness to organized crime by educating the population, as well as introduce new technology and intelligence. While assisting the countries who might not have the same resources. Triads are like a virus. The only ways to get rid of a virus is to kill the host or kill the
The economic impact of organized crime is staggering. “… a look at the economic impact alone gives a glimpse of the importance of this issue. The
As defined by (Jay S. Albanese) organized crime functions as a continuing enterprise that rationally works to
Transnational crime is a growing problem. Transnational crime is defined as “self-perpetuating associations of individuals who operate transnational for the purpose of obtaining power, influence, monetary and/or commercial gains, wholly or in part by illegal means, while protecting their activities through a pattern of corruption and/ or violence, or while protecting their illegal activities through a transnational structure and the exploitation of transnational commerce or communication mechanisms.” (National Security Council, n.d.) . Transnational crimes are known under other names such as cross-national crime, global crime, international crime, and