Organized Crime Analysis - Essay Example

Introduction Law enforcement has to deal with the increasing impact of organized crime. As much as technology is changing the prospects of our world,so has it changed the challenges of dealing with criminal organizations. In recent years, criminal organizations have grown in unprecedented rates developing strategies and channels that is challenging law enforcement not only locally but on international levels (Maitra, 2005). According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) (2006), they have also grown more violent, more corrupt and pervasive in society threatening not only peace and order but the sovereignty of states, particularly those that are already facing political and economic challenges. The UNODC further identifies that drug crime organizations are among the most urgent concerns for law enforcement because of their direct effect to society and individuals. Among these organizations, the organization led by Diego Leon Montoya Sanchez is on the top of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) list of organized crime syndicates. The organization is involved in drug-trafficking and money-laundering and is considered as one of the most dangerous and violent groups at its peak. Based in Colombia, it routes its cocaine operations through Ecuador to Mexico and then distributes to supply New York, Florida and Montreal in Canada. Organized Crime Organized crime is has rich history in any society. The traditional notions of organized crime are often described by criminal activities by close associations or groups operating in a locality though they may have significant networks in other communities. Gangs, syndicate, crime families have been part of the lore of law enforcement since its inception. However, today's generation of crime organizations have a stricture, network and form that competes with most multinational corporations. Today crime organizations operate on a global scale with no limitation to their interests or involvements (FBI, 2003). This is not saying that local crime organization are not just as significant in the damage that they bring to society but Wagley emphasizes that these crime activities should be better considered in the scale that they now operate which has turned distinctively transnational. He makes this qualification: "Traditional groups have a hierarchical structure that operates continuously or for an extended period. Newer networks, in contrast, are seen as having a more decentralized, often cell-like structure," (p. 7). Furthermore, Wagley differentiates them by how they operate: "conventional organizations have interests that are aligned with countriesModern networks, in contrast, are seen as less likely to profit from state contracts and often thrive on the absence of effective governance". According to the FBI and Colombian law enforcement, it is important to develop international and interagency cooperation to be able to address these hew challenges. In their efforts to indict Diego Leon Montoya Sanchez, investigation and operations had to be conducted simultaneously in the US and in Colombia highlighted the scale and sophistication that these crime organization operate which involves a network of conspirators in government and law enforcement, legitimate and illegitimate business and even government services themselves in their operations. Drugs and Organized Crime The drug trade is considered as one of the most lucrative crime operations ever developed. The sheer revenue form its operations can reach scales that it becomes even bigger than a country's legitimate economy. Take the example of Afghanistan. Central Asia has been the traditional gateway of dugs form Asia to Europe and it is estimated that the Al Qaeda and several other Para-military groups are protecting the cultivation of narcotics in the country to finance their armies (UNODC, 2006). These issues have come to international light particularly since the US occupation of the country. The UN's goals of globally eradicating drugs are not anymore an achievable target. One weakness of the programs is that it focused on the trade itself. The focus was in policing the trade, apprehending traffickers and eliminating the channels of trade (Nazemroaya, 2006). Tamara Makarenko of the University of Saint Andrews in Scotland's Center for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence says that "There is no room to compromise with known drug traders. There is no room to compromise with corrupt officials. We have to clean things up today because if we don't, this becomes ingrained within society" (Esfandiari, 2005). In the US itself, there is evidence that drug syndicates are providing support for terrorist cells particularly those like the Al Qaeda who control production of products. In his report, Wagley (2006) states that the estimates social and economic costs in the US are around $160 billion, $67 billion of which are direct costs to the United States that include law enforcement, prosecution and incarceration of offenders (p. 10). According to the FBI (2003), despite success in the elimination of heads of these organizations, the organization themselves need more effort to be fully dealt with. The economic incentives of the operation of these organizations are such that it is driving itself to prevail. Action against Organized Drug Syndicates The ultimate solution to the problem can only be achieved by determined and definitive programs. Programs should reflect the urgency of the situation. Programs should be able to address all levels of the trade through creating preventive measures as well developmental elements like education, rehabilitation and cooperation. Unless the programs gain the support of civil society, then the program will not be able to achieve their full potential. For example, the partnership between the Border Management Programme In Central Asia (BOMCA) and the Central Asian Drug Action Programme (CADAP) which is being supported by the EU and more recently by the US, encourages "high-level advice and guidance in upgrading legislation, to delivering expertise in airport security, or the use of dogs to detect drugs". Efforts have had significant results. The drug trade in South East Asia and Latin America has been greatly controlled because of international efforts in the said regions which have force drug manufactures and producers to move to Central Asia and parts of North East Asia (Esfandiari, 2004). This in turn is now the reality that law enforcement has to face. In a change of strategy, producers in South America have become distribution channels, exchanging roles with traditional distributors in an effort against law enforcement. Wagley (2006) has cited that the core of proposals have been regarding the internationalization of efforts in combating crime organization operating drug syndicates. One of the suggestions is in involving Interpol into the effort and giving them enforcement powers across borders. This will be in support of earlier efforts done by regional police organization such as European Union (EU)'s Europol and Southeast Asia's Aseanapol that would benefit greatly from the resources for support from a unified internal effort. The classification of drug trafficking as an international crime under the United Nations can also become a factor in creating better networks for law enforcement and increase jurisdictions as well as penalties for related drug crimes (UNODC, 2006). Conclusion As it is, probability that the objectives set by the UN's General Assembly for 2008 to eradicate significantly the drug trade has become even more difficult to achieve based on current levels of illegal drug trafficking (UNODC, 2006). According to the FBI, the success of the drug organizations can also be traced in their deliberate efforts to limit economic opportunities in the region where they are most prevalent. This is motivate framers become involved in the trade or support heir operations either directly with the trade or by protecting drug lords from police detection. Wagley (2006) points out that criminal organizations "exploited expanding trade and financial markets, while benefiting from rapidly advancing technology, broadened international travel, and improved global communications," (p. 5). Thus, they have used the tools that are to make society and the world better to further their own objectives that are against the welfare of the same societies. The drug trade itself is trying to ingrain itself in society so that it can grow proportionately with it. The international community must to take the concerns regarding organized drug crime organization as if it was their local concern. Esfandiari (2004) also points out that there is a need to understand the drug trade and its popularity among crime organizations in their economic, political and social impacts. As more literature show the relationship between these operations to violence and terrorism, there should be a realization that drugs are becoming the fuel of Insurgent, criminal and terrorist organizations (Wagley, 2006). Unless government and civil society work together in politically, socially and ethnically sensitive program, no real success can be achieved. References Border Management Programme In Central Asia (BOMCA) (2005). Boosting Border Management & Drug Control In Central Asia. Brussels, Belgium: BOMCA Esfandiari, Golnaz (2004). Central Asia: Drug Trafficking Has Devastating Social, Economic Impact. Retrieved on March 13, 2007 from http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2004/06/0761f337-a1de-4b7c-a5d0-bbdaeb20d5f1.html Nazemroaya, Mahdi Darius (2006). The War in Afghanistan: Drugs, Money Laundering and the Banking System. Global Research October 17, 2006. Retrieved on March 13, 2007 from http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.phpcontext=viewArticle&code=NAZ20061017&articleId=3516 Federal Bureau of Investigation (2003). Organized Crime. Retrieved on March 13, 2007 from http://www.fbi.gov/libref/factsfigure/orgcrime.htm Maitra, Ramtanu (2005). Follow the drugs: US shown the way. Asia Times Online October 27, 2005. Retrieved on March 13, 2007 from http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Central_Asia/GJ27Ag02.html United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) (2006). Drug Industry Threatens to Derail Afghanistan's State Building. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) News Service. Retrieved on March 13, 2007 http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/press_release_2006_11_28.html Wagley, John R. (2006). Transnational Organized Crime: Principal Threats and U.S. Responses. Washington: Congressional Research Service - Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division Read More