...ORGANIZED CRIME: CASE STUDY NIGERIA. Introduction Organized Crime can be categorized as a transnational, national or among local groupings, of enterprises or organizations highly centralized and run by criminals. They are themed by engagement of illegal activity with the purpose of making money and profit. Not all organized crime systems are monetarily motivated, some of these systems purely operate with a political purpose driving their mandate or their very existence. Terrorist organizations, for example fit this caliber. These criminal organizations force people to do business with them i.e. a gang extorting small businesses for money so as to offer them ‘protection’. ‘Organized’ would be the term to describe these syndicates for these gangs, mobs and organizations are mostly disciplined with high levels of professionalism and expertise. These systems cannot be categorized with your average crime operations. (Macionis& Gerber 2010) States, militaries, police forces and even corporations sometimes use organized crime methods to conduct their business. (Tilly, 1985) According to the UNODC (n.d.). Organized crime threatens peace and human security, violates human rights and undermines economic, social, cultural, political and civil development of societies around the world. Organized crime manifests in a variety of forms, drug trafficking, firearms, human trafficking. Every year, countless individuals lose their lives at the hands of criminals involved in organized crime...
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...ORGANIZED CRIME INVESTIGATION "Yes, Mr. Hoover, there is a Mafia" (Rudy Giuliani) Organized crime is in a class by itself. It's big, it's powerful, it's well-connected, and highly profitable. Mafia is the most common term used to describe the more profitable criminal organizations around the world, but other terminology exists, such as: international criminal organizations (military usage); transnational crime (United Nations usage); and enterprise crime (FBI usage). As the term is utilized in criminology, it refers to any (or all) of six (6) different types of crime: (1) crime as business, which includes white collar crime as well as various forms of corruption; (2) offenses involving works of art, counterfeiting, or other cultural artifacts; (3) crime associated with the distribution and sale of narcotics as well as other contraband substances; (4) crime associated with human migration or sex trafficking including various forms of prostitution; and (5) crime involving contract murder or for-hire use of force, mostly deadly force; and (6) various forms of computer crime involving identity theft and/or other large-scale financial frauds. No one-sentence conceptual definition exists, and a very useful webpage can be found on the Internet devoted to the Many Definitions of Organized Crime. There are known characteristics of organized crime, such as corruption, violence, sophistication, continuity, structure, discipline, ideology (or lack thereof), multiple enterprises...
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...Question 3: What do you believe was the impetus for the evolution of organized crime in the United States? What were the first organized crime groups in America? Answer: I think the motivation for the evolution of organized crime in the United States was money and power, and the expansion of markets (Mallory, 2012). Committing the illegal activity, such as drug trafficking, provided large sums of money to the members (Mallory, 2012). The need for products that organizations were distributing had began to increase, which meant there was more opportunity for organized crime groups (Mallory, 2012). For example, drugs were a major source of profit, such as drug rings (Mallory, 2012). I think since so many people became dependent on illicit drugs,...
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...Woody Allen – A look at organized crime Comprehension: 1. Which illegal activities are performed by the Mafia? Murders, gambling, narcotics, prostitution, hijacking, loansharking, transportation of large whitefish across the state line for immoral purposes 2. What does it mean that the “Aquillante Construction Company decided to erect their new offices on the bridge of his nose”? Maybe it means that they are making a fool of sby of Doyle, and ends up killing him Or that they killed him and decided to build a building on top of his body. 3. How loyal were Vitale’s men? They were not very loyal. When Vitale died, Vitale’s men immediately defected to Ross out of loyalty 4. What does it mean that letters were signed with a “black hand”? It was a threat from the Mafia (often demanding money) 5. What is a “family”? A Mafia group (rather serious men) 6. Explain what it means that the Mafia is a “blight on our nation” Very bad for the society - It ruins our nation – The underground of the society 7. What is the problem in the phone conversation? How valuable is this conversation as evidence? The problem is that there is a bad connection. The evidence is not legitimate at all. It seems to be a joke (Woody Allen is making fun of both the Mafia and the police) Analysis: 1. Sort the nicknames in three categories: a) likely nicknames b) less likely nicknames c) absurd nicknames. Characterize the names and nicknames in the text The butcher (a) ...
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...Abstract This paper will discuss organized crime groups in relation to their interrelationships and their illegal dealing. It will enclose how different organized crime groups make allies and relationships with one another to help bring money and power to their organizations. The next step is to discuss the legal limitations that limit the ability of law enforcement to be able to bring criminal organizations to justice for their crimes. It will show what laws help limit the combat against organized crime and why they put legal limitations of law enforcement. This will lead to the final discussion on what would be a good solution to organized crime and how to bring them to justice legally. Controlling Organized Crime Organized crime groups in the United States date back to the 1900’s. In the 1900’s there were various groups that took form throughout the states. These groups started when immigrants came to the shore lines of the United States. Over the years threw segregation, prohibition and other factors that gave certain groups vast amounts of power, money and respect throughout their community. These groups took control over the crime in many areas they resided in and around. The organized crime groups that have had a big impact on the United States is the Irish Mafia, Italian Mafia, Klu Klux Klan, Hell’s Angels, drug cartels, Black Panthers, Yakuza, Triads, the Baker Gang, and the Mason Family. Each of this organization began to gain momentum during...
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...There are two types of organizations when it comes to crime. These two organizations, bureaucratic and patron-client, are the main structures of the systems. There are similarities and differences between the two organization models and are important when it comes to understanding organized crime. The bureaucratic organization is an organization that has tight procedures, policies and constraints (Burley, n.d.). This type of structure allow for an organization to run with a formal head of power that dictates what is to happen. It allows for a proper chain of command and gives power to those earn it based on tasks. In this type of organization, you are also valued by the tasks that you are given and they are usually detailed and specific (Burley, n.d.). When it comes to the patron-client model of organization, it is all about the bonds that tie the organization together (Mallory, 2007, p.41). The ties are between the patron and the client. The patron does the work such as providing aid and protection for the client who hires them. With this model, the patron earns the favor of the client and eventually becomes part of the clients group. According to Mallory (2007, p. 41), this type of organization creates continuity within the organization in case something happens to the client but also is less centralized around one person and there is less control over the subordinates within the structure. Both of these types of organizations have similarities and differences. They are...
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...Personal Perception of Organized Crime Heather Kyzer CJA 384: Criminal Organizations April 23, 2013 Wm. Nelson Barnes Personal Perception of Organized Crime It estimated that by the FBI organized crimes contribute to more than one trillion United States Dollars annually in profit. Organized crimes come from all corners of the globe. The FBI work to disable these national and transnational syndicates with all capability possible by means of undercover investigations, confidential sources, surveillance, intelligence analysis, and sharing, other agency investigations, forensic accounting, and the power of racketeering statutes that help take down entire enterprises (Organized Crime, 2012). According to the FBI, “organized crime is defined as any group having some manner of a formalized structure and whose primary objective is to obtain money through illegal activities.” Organized crime groups maintain their structure through the use of violence, corrupt political officials, graft, extortion, and generally have a significant impact on the people with their location (Organized Crime, 2012). Personal perception of organized crime: When thinking about organized crime the envision that arises is that of a group of people, either one ethnic group or different races, which runs or control the neighborhood or even the entire city. The envision of drug selling, and other goods arises as well as individuals being murdered that interfere with these social structured individuals...
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...Organized crime has various definitions but in each definition it is defined as transnational meaning it has no particular designation it sits anywhere it can make the most profit, majority of the time it's happening right under your nose and you don't even notice it. Although it is national and may appear in different forms, it was the high profiled Mafia's collusion with law enforcement that helped shape up various acts of Congress. The Mafia worked to become imitations of police organization in the Italian ghetto areas of the burgeoning American cities of the industrial era (book,crim today). Members of the Mafia fled to the U.S and began forming criminal organizations here. Many meetings held in the U.S during the 1920s and 1930s helped settle the differences between Sicilians and Italians, define ways to prevent gang wars without violence and maximize profits(interview). The illegitimate manufacture and allocation of alcohol during temperance enhanced the wealth of innumerable criminals, setting the stage of criminal influence all over America. Bootleg alcohol fueled the work of organized crime the businesses were highly profitable for whomever was involved (young immigrants) which often was the stirred up the gang and mafia wars. Organized crime today is far beyond just alcohol and drugs, it has become an awful case of murder, fraud, theft, gambling, fencing, and various types of trafficking such as large-scale drug trafficking and human trafficking. Over time it has...
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...Personal Perception of Organized Crime Natasha Reed CJA/321 July 18, 2016 Edward Rafailovitc 2 Personal Perception of Organized Crime I would describe organized crime as a group of people coming together to organize a crime such as drug trafficking, money laundering, human trafficking, chop shops, identity theft, etc. They do this for money, power, and respect. When people hear organized crime they automatically think drugs, and the Italian Mafia, and New York City; the reason being is because this is how all movies, books, and music entertainers all ways portrayed organized crime as. Organized crime is a threat against all of society, and violates human rights. Most organized crime groups set up shop in the inner cities, and a lot of times recruit people who are less fortunate to work for them. Organized crime groups can also be gangs, any group of people who set up a plan, rather it’s to rob a bank, carjacking, set up a sex ring, etc. it’s considered organized crime. Violence is a big part of organized crime groups. This is because different groups compete against each other, and if they feel that the competition is taking money from them, or in their territory they are coming to kill, which in many cases innocent people are caught in the cross fire. Some government officials, politicians, and police officers play a role in organized crime, because they get paid to turn the other cheek to what is going...
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...Perception of Organized Crime Sergio L. Robles University of Phoenix Personal Perception of Organized Crime Many thoughts come to mind when the “organized crime” are mentioned. The perception that I have on organized crime is of those types of crimes that are well planned out. The term “organized” gives the crime a since of purpose, criminals organized themselves to carry out their plans. For a criminal, crime is a way of living. The individuals that are involved in the organized crime have goals that they must meet to achieve goals. Even though crime is seen as a wrong thing to do, for the individuals within the organized crime it is normal. Throughout the world there are many different ways to define organized crime. Because there are many definitions, it is important to understand the main key points that identify organized crime. According to Howard Abadinsky, the main attributes with organized crime: “1. has no political goals 2. Is hierarchical 3. Has a limited or exclusive membership 4. Constitutes a unique subculture 5. Perpetuates itself 6. Exhibits a willingness to use illegal violence 7. Is monopolistic 8. Is governed by explicit rules and regulations” (Von Lampe, 2010). Organized crime in the United States, the same standard of definition is used both by state and federal government agencies. The FBI considers organized crime structured as fearful, corrupted, and violent. Some example of organized crime according to...
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...My perception of organized crime Ravin Hipshire CJA-384 The way I would define Organized crime would be a group of people that are committing any type of crime against a community, city or state. I would think of it as a group of any ethnicity. You see Organized crime groups such as MS-13. To a lot of people they would look like just a gang of violent offenders. To me, I see them as a organized crime group. I also think that any group that is involved in drug trafficking, human trafficking, terrorism, violence, and torture should be considered some type of organized crime. When I did some of the reading I looked at how the organized crime world id defined. It is a little bit more elaborate than that of mine. One of the things I didn't think about until I read it was the torture part. I never realized that this is also something that should be considered. Another part of the reading that I did not know is that there was an organized crime ring ran by a African American woman in the 30's and 40's called the forty thieves. I always thought of the Italian families running organized crime and that was all I knew or even cared to know. I never thought about their being Irish, Jewish, and other countries like this involved in organized crime. I was quite shocked to read about the Irish Immigration and see that they as well as Sicilian people were so oppressed by others that they created there own group of people which started the whole Mafia business...
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...The term organized crime has become well known during recent years. Primarily through movies, television shows, and news reports. When a person hears the term organized crime, they think of the mob from movies like godfather, goodfellas, and scarface. However; those movies are just a glorified representation of what organized crime actually is and the reality of organized crime and its impact of society is much more disturbing than anything Hollywood or story writers can develop. The purpose of this paper is to define and discuss what organized crime is, why it develops and why members of society are drawn to engage in it. This paper will also discuss the problems related to organized crime’s impact on society and the limitations the government faces when trying to eradicate this type of criminal activity. In addition, the laws and tools law enforcement uses to combat organized criminal activity will be explored and how those laws and tools can be expanded on to offer a viable solution in controlling organized crime. Organized Crime Described The simplest definition of organized crime can be 1. Widespread criminal activities, such as prostitution, interstate theft, or illegal gambling, that occur within a centrally controlled formal structure. 2. The people and the groups involved in such criminal activities. (thefreedictionary.com). This definition is what makes the difference between criminal activity conducted by an individual and criminal activity conducted by a group...
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...Controlling Organized Crime CJA/384 April 16, 2012 Controlling Organized Crime When many people think of the problems related to organized crime, the stories shown on television or in movies about Sicilian or Italian mafia comes to mind. In reality, the threat of this type of crime is much more widespread. The following explores the problems presented by organized crime, the legal limitations associated with combating organized crime, and suggestions to control organized crime by discussing and evaluating the effectiveness of organized crime prosecutions. Organized Crime Organized crime is nothing new; these groups have been around since the 1900s when Italian immigrants organized into what they called families. These groups maintained strict loyalty and tight lips, discussing their business with no one outside the family. Soon they were involved in the labor unions and bootlegging at the inception of the Prohibition (Repetto, 2007). Some consider these families traditional organized crime groups. New versions are considered nontraditional organized crime groups. Since the rise of the Mafia, other criminal organizations have surfaced using their power to corrupt businesses for personal gain and political strength. Everyday society is under attack by smaller criminal organizations working pipelines for drugs and weapons. These nontraditional groups are outlaw motorcycle gangs, Chinese triads, Columbian cartels, and urban street gangs (Lyman & Potter, 2007)...
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...1 Organized Crime Group: The Gambino Family Melissa Castle CJA/384 June 11, 2012 Bryan Kaminski Introduction The organized crime group Learning Team A chose to conduct research on was The Gambino Family. Their entire organization was based in New York City. This paper will reflect the Gambino's national and multinational structure and operating methods pertaining to the drug business. Also a comparison of the Gambino's from their past to present role in prohibition, drug syndicates, political corruption, and other illicit activities will be examined. Over time, the Gambino family had various business interests that made them even more notable in the Italian Mafia history. National and multinational structure and operating methods, pertaining to the drug business. The Gambino family’s drug business structure and operating methods stem from very strong ties in the Sicilian Drug trade (Critchley, 2008). Until 1914, there were no real laws or boundaries against the drug industry in the United States of America (Critchley, 2008). The Boylan anti-drug Law, passed by the New York state legislature on March 28, 1914, was the first regulatory limitations seen against drugs. This law was not truly enforced until the 1920s, with legitimate businesses continuing to serve recreational drugs to addicts. This drug law was instituted because of the overwhelming numbers of innocent drug slaves, according to Charles B. Towns, the attorney who...
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...Controlling Organized Crime Darci Pelkey CJA\393 September 19, 2011 Jennifer Williamson Controlling Organized Crime A group of people who work together to help each out in criminal activities is considered organized crime. This organization has thrived during the prohibition and became a part of the Western society. The urbanization of major cities have provided the environment in, which organized crime could thrive (Finkle, 2010). The considerable population within the major cities have provide a critical mass of criminal, customers, and victims and thus the facilitation of the development of profitable markets in prohibited goods and services. Even through the laws like the Racketeer Influence and Corrupt Organization in placed to help to prevent the organization activities, the technological advances have modernized the organized crimes methods and have created an international problems. The long-established organized organization can be consisted of one ethnicity and has been focused on an isolated function of their area. The modern organized organizations approaches have cross control and function internationally. Within the United States, the first efforts to controlled organized crime began to come into view in the 1960’s (Finkle, 2010). There were commissions formed that studied organized crime and to help to form methods that could control the organized crime appropriately. These studies reflected the growing concern...
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