Organized Crime From a U.S.

Organized Crime from a U.S. Perspective:

Organized crime has developed as a major issue that threatens several or numerous facets of the United States such as the country's economy and national security. This type of crime has taken an evolving transnational nature because of more open doors and the growth of the Internet. These two factors have contributed to the increase in organized crime because criminals not only threaten America from within but also from beyond the country's borders. In most cases, the threats of organized crime come from several criminal organizations from Russia, Middle East, Africa, Italy, Asia, and Balkan. Consequently, various policymakers have raised concerns regarding the effectiveness of the tools provided by the federal government in dealing with these criminal activities, especially due to their evolving nature.

About Organized Crime:

Even though the mention of organized crime usually triggers pictures of the Italian and Sicilian Mafioso, this type of crime has evolved in nature with an increase in its threat and complexities in the United States. This is largely because criminal organizations that conduct this type of criminal offenses have a presence in America and are targeting the nation's citizens from afar. In addition to the presence in the United States homeland, criminal organizations that are involved in organized crime are using the Internet and other technologies of the current global age for their offenses ("Organized Crime -- Overview," n.d.). Furthermore, the organizations are literally becoming partners in criminal offenses because of the realization that they gain more by partnerships than through competing.

As previously mentioned, organized crime has become a major national security issue because of its impact on homeland security and the nation's economy. One of the major ways in which organized crime weakens the American economy is through illegal activities that result in loss of tax revenues for both the state and federal governments. Some of these fraudulent and illegal activities include tax evasion scams and cigarette trafficking. Most of the activities take place within the domains of insurance, securities, strategic products, credit, and investments that could provide further challenges to the already-troubled financial market. Therefore, this type of crime manipulates and dominates financial markets, institutions like labor unions, and industries like trash hauling and construction.

From a national security perspective, policymakers and experts have expressed their concerns about the likely connection between organized crime and terrorism. While the motivation for terrorism and organized crime differs i.e. ideology and profit respectively, the linking factor between these criminal activities is money. Through partnerships with organized crime organizations and groups, terrorists are likely to receive funding for their operations. However, these different criminal groups are likely to partner in the short-term rather than form long-term alliances.

The Nature and Extent of Organized Crime in the U.S.:

The history of organized crime in the United States stretches for a long period of time, which is mainly traced to the period before the 20th Century. it's widely stated that organized crime began to flourish during the time of Prohibition, a period in which it grabbed the attention of policymakers (Finklea, 2010). For a better part of the 20th Century, the law enforcement agencies in America were fighting what is regarded as the conventional organized crime networks that were operating within the country's borders.

These criminal groups like Russian Mafia, Chinese Tongs, Italian Mafia, and Japanese Yakuza were involved in several illegal activities in the 1950s and 1960s. The most profitable activities for these criminal groups were gambling, loan sharking, extortion, prostitution, narcotics trafficking, fraud, and bootlegging. The other prominent activities conducted by the organized crime groups and organizations include murder, racketeering, money laundering, and theft.

Currently, organized crime has taken an evolving transnational nature and trend in the United States because of various factors like improved communications technology and economic globalization. According the reports of the National Intelligence Council, organized crime activities don't seem to be declining as it's estimated that organized crime networks will continue to grow. The prevalence of organized crime activities and networks is evident from the fact that various industries have raised concerns regarding the operations of these networks within the industry.

Areas of Operations for Organized Crime in the U.S.:

As organized crime has continued to evolve and have a huge impact on the security and economy of the United States, it has developed to be referred to as transnational organized crime because its operations are conducted in various areas. Some of the major areas for the operations of the organized crime in America include

Human Trafficking or Smuggling:

Human smuggling is referred to as the facilitation, transportation or illicit entry of a person or people across an international border through the violation of the country's laws. Human trafficking occurs through clandestine or deceptive activities, avoiding legal border controls, and through the use of fraudulent documents. Illegal smuggling or trafficking hinders the safety and well-being of Americans since it has a negative influence on both the regional and national security ("Multinational Operations," 2011). Illegal smuggling more than trafficking of humans has become one of the major areas for organized crime operations in America because of its link to other areas like drug trafficking and corruption of government officials.

Drug Trafficking:

The second major area for the operations of organized crime in America is drug trafficking that has been expanded by these networks in the recent past. This is regardless of the recent effective counter-drug measures, especially against cocaine. While illicit drugs are still a major threat to the health, security, financial well-being, and safety of Americans; the demand for these drugs in America has fueled the power and violence of organized crime networks. Due to the increased demand of illegal drugs in the country, drug trafficking has become a main area for organized crime operations in the United States.

Other Areas:

In addition to the above mentioned areas, corruption in governmental agencies and institutions, intellectual property theft, cyberspace, and trafficking of weapons are also other areas of organized crime operations in the United States ("Strategy to Combat Transnational Organized Crime," 2011).

Types of Criminal Organizations operating in the U.S.:

There are various types of criminal organizations that operate in the United States including the following

Terrorist Groups:

Terrorist groups are one of the major types of criminal organizations that operate from within and without the borders of the United States. Terrorist groups are mainly divided into two categories i.e. domestic terrorist groups and the global terrorist groups. While domestic terrorist groups are regarded as criminal organizations that have established bases in the United States, the global terrorist groups are those located in other countries across the globe. Some examples of the domestic terrorist organization include the Black Liberation Army whereas Al Qaeda Network is an example of the global terrorist group.

Organized Crime Networks:

These are the second type of criminal organizations operating in the United States whose main objective is to obtain money from their illegal activities. Some examples of the organized crime networks or organizations include Italian Cosa Nostra, Chinese Tongs, Japanese Yakuza, and Balkan crime groups.

Measures for Combating Organized Crime:

One of the most effective way for fighting organized crime like cybercrime, terrorism, drug and human trafficking, and corruption is through improved intelligence gathering and information sharing in the federal government ("Combating Transnational Organized Crime," 2011). Notably, enhancing intelligence gathering and information sharing should be conducted in collaboration with the law enforcement agencies in all governmental levels.