Organized Crime - Assignment Example

Introduction The research paper would focus on organized crime, operating through waterways and ports. Organized crime can be stated as local, transnational or national groupings. This form of crime is exhibited by criminals. They are mainly inclined towards performing illegal activity, either for earning profit margins or money. There are political parties also involved in certain criminal activities. Terrorist organizations possess political intervention. Criminal organizations at times even influence common people to indulge into various activities. Gangs have to be disciplined enough in order to be regarded as an organized group. Criminal organization is also known as underworld, mob or crime syndicate. This research paper would not only highlight different aspects of organized crime but shall even reflect upon importance of waterways or ports. Organized crime is a specific category of crime and is highly distinguishable from financial crimes, white-collar crimes, war crimes, treason, state crimes and political crimes. There are measures being undertaken to safeguard countries from such organized crimes but support from higher authorities tends to increase frequency of organized crime. Illegal drugs are transported through ports or waterways which forms an integral part of organized crime. High profit margins are secured through transportation of drugs to various locations. On the other hand, illegal ammunition is also transported through waterways. This in turn enhances strength of criminals and increases adverse impacts created by organized crime. Decreased level of inspection has facilitated vulnerability of ports. Spatial characteristics and physical layout of ports are highly challenging in terms of law enforcement. Research aims and objectives The research aim of a study sets forth the purpose of any particular research study. This paper would aim at analyzing significance of waterways or ports in organized crime. Waterways are always considered to be an ideal medium through which goods or services are transported to different locations. However this form of transportation medium holds great deal of significance within organized crime. Illegal activities are easily executed with the support of these mediums. Corruption or smuggling are vital components of organized crime and is exhibited with the support of waterways or ports. Research objectives for this study is – To analyze the concept of organized crime To determine importance of transportation mediums within framework of organized crime To identify relationship between organized crime and ports or waterways To evaluate the growth of organized crime in waterways and port areas These objectives outline the major purpose of the research study and other related areas which shall be covered in this study. Thesis Statement Thesis statement of the research study is – “ways in which organized crime operates in waterways and port areas.” This statement forms the basis of any research study and outcomes are based on this thesis statement. Literature Review According to Finklea (2011), organized crime occurs due to presence of illicit markets. Violence is the end product of such organized crime. The rising demand towards illegal goods has nurtured evolution of criminal syndicates. Public morals are underpinned by activities exhibited by these criminal gangs. To certain extent support from politicians or other higher authority has enhanced growth of organized crime. They possess capability in terms of infiltrating legal economic structure and diluting law enforcement measures. There are four important elements surrounding this topic – illegal markets, government, organized crime and society. Power varies throughout the structure of organized crime. The four elements are inter-related and it contributes towards emergence of organized crime. There are three types of organizational structure in context of organized crime. They are patron-client networks, corporate or bureaucratic operations and street or youth gangs. Fluid interactions determine the patron-client networks. This structure indicates organized crime is performed in smaller units. Hierarchies are based on cultural or social traditions. Personalized activities are usually taken into consideration such as territorial disputes, training imparted to family members or any form of family rivalries.1 As per Bachman and Schutt (2011), organizational structure portrays rule enforcement or communication mechanisms. Decision making approach and criminal involvement is also dependent on such form of structure. Corporate or bureaucratic groups of organized crime are characterized by internal group’s rigidity. This structure encompasses a complex framework, extensive labor division amongst classes, meritocratic, follows top down communication approach, responsibilities exhibited in impersonal manner and extensive regulations incorporated in the structure. Youth gangs are commonly witnessed in recent scenario. This kind of gang has clear hierarchical structure along with proper leadership approach. Street gangs are involved mainly in drug dealing. Gangs are also regarded as formal rational organizational structure. Drug dealing is stated to be a preferred medium for earning money by youth gangs. Vertical integration mechanism is followed by street and youth gangs.2 Criminal groups are given responsibility to regulate demand and supply of drugs. As stated by Zhivan (2011), organized crime is highly responsible for providing illegal services and goods. Theft or fraudulent activities are performed by criminal groups in order to victimize business organizations. These activities are basically like robbing goods, stock fraud, hijacking cargo trucks, bankruptcy fraud, etc. Individuals are also victimized by organized crime groups. This is mainly in the form of car theft, jewelry theft, identity theft, bank robbery, credit card fraud, embezzlement, burglary, etc. National, local or state governments are defrauded by organized crime groups. This is done through counterfeiting money, bid rigging projects, smuggling, production of untaxed cigarettes or alcohol, etc. These groups aim towards corrupting government officials who are placed in judicial, executive or law enforcement roles. Even loans are provided by organized crime groups at comparatively high interest rates. Other such activities comprises of blackmailing, drug trafficking, kidnapping, smuggling of various products, money laundering, organ trafficking, price fixing, illegal trading of goods, passport fraud, trading species who are endangered, etc.3 There are different transportation methods utilized for performing organized crime. In earlier years focus was only on road transport and this medium was efficiently used to execute illegal activities. However in recent scenario focus has shifted towards water transport. Ports and waterways now appear to be most preferred transportation medium of organized criminal groups. These areas have decreased law enforcement measures and this makes tasks simpler for criminal groups. Ports and waterways are used by organized criminal groups for two major purposes. Firstly for profit oriented crimes providing high revenue margins. Secondly tactical support criminal activities in order to address profit oriented motives. Profit oriented crimes are generally illegal drug imports, cargo theft, dealing in counterfeit products like pharmaceutical items, tobacco, clothes, etc. On the contrary, tactical activities correspond to corruption or involvement of law enforcement personnel, industry insiders and security personnel. Marine ports are also responsible for trading of wide array of illegal goods. Synthetic drugs and stolen cars are often seen to be exported through ports and waterways. There are specific methods incorporated by organized crime groups to efficiently utilize waterways and ports. The primary method is concealment and smuggling techniques. This includes usage of shipping containers, fraudulent shipping documents to conceal illegal goods amongst other legitimate imported products. There are other techniques also employed such as coordinating with various criminal groups and considering transit countries. Another technique is facilitating internal conspiracies with the support of corrupted laborers. Individual in influential positions are usually targeted who store, unload or move marine containers. Those key personnel are also engaged who structure necessary documents required for inter-modal shipping. Contraband-filled marine containers can only be shipped from one location to another when law enforcement personnel and dock workers are involved in the process.4 Research Methodology Research methodology denotes the framework of a particular research study. There are two kinds of research studies such as qualitative and quantitative studies. Qualitative studies are usually conducted when expert’s opinions are required in order to address research objectives. These opinions are then interpreted by a researcher to outline final research outcomes. This form of study does not require market related data but is only dependent on views given by theorists or experts. It can be stated that in some form of research studies it is not possible to acquire market information.5 Quantitative research study is all about gaining information from the market place. Market information related to research problem is firstly explored and later analyzed by using statistical tools or techniques. To be more precise statistical tools are used to check validity of collected data. Researcher’s interpretation skills do not play a critical role in quantitative studies. This particular research study is qualitative study since more focus is on collecting expert’s opinions and then interpreting collected information.6 Organized crime is a known area of study and wide array of information can be obtained on this research topic. There has been previous research studies conducted where importance of port areas are highlighted in context of organized crime. Different opinions about organized crime shall be included and interpreted in order to address set research question. There are two forms of data collection methods such as primary and secondary data collection tool.7 Primary data collection technique is all about gaining information through questionnaire survey, structured interviews, focus group, etc. Secondary data collection measure is related to acquiring information from previous research articles, journals, websites, Internet, books, magazines, etc. This research study would be based on secondary data collection mechanism.8 Information essential for the research study shall be obtained from wide range of secondary sources. Findings & Analysis Globalization has led to more established links between markets and nations. International economic system has facilitated rate of global trading practices. One of the major components of globalization is international trade. Across international borders, goods, services or capital are efficiently exchanged. This form of exchange constitutes a significant portion with gross domestic product of many countries. Efficiency and volume of maritime trade has been increased through industrializations, technological advancements, free trade agreements and wide array of multinational corporations. There is positive trend witnessed in employment rate due to international trading activities. Across national boundaries trading takes place through small or large shipment of goods. Ground and air methods both are considered while transporting goods from one location to another. Bulk cargos can only be transported through sea. In context of containerized cargos, marine transportation is viewed as most economic transportation method. However organized crime has diluted security measures undertaken by port officials while transporting goods. Global challenges are strongly witnessed by ports and waterways transportation modes. Violence or organized crime was previously centered towards national borders but globalization has transformed it into a global threat. Countries are largely dependent on neighborhood areas for trading activities or security measures. Criminal networks, changing climate, influence from other geographical regions tends to adversely affect a country. Those countries which posses less of economic resources are negatively affected by organized crime groups. These countries usually do not have enough security measures in terms of preventing illegal activities.9 Contraband activities cannot be avoided due to absence of such security measures. There are certain ports which have greatly contributed towards organized crime activities. Lack of jurisdictional coordination often leads to some vital challenges for maritime borders. Maritime networks are used to traffic and smuggle people, drugs and weapons. Ports are held responsible for enhanced drug trafficking patterns. This trend is witnessed in Caribbean coast due to interdiction efforts in Eastern Pacific, Mexico and Central America. Central America and Caribbean are considered to be most violent regions across the globe. As per research study conducted by National Drug Intelligence Center, the rate of cocaine export or import tripled between United States Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico through maritime routes. In Puerto Rico, 75% of overall homicide is denoted by weapon and drug related trade.10 ISPS code or International Ship and Port Facility Security Code has designed security framework for preventing illegal trading through waterways but it has not been productive to a great extent in terms of eradicating organized crime cases. Expansion of human trafficking, narcotics or arms has led to high profit margins being secured by organized crime groups. Logistic chain holds importance in this context since many individuals are involved in illicit and legal working domains. Shipping ports have witnessed criminal aspects in various forms. As cargo volume is increasing, shipping is treated as a cost effective measure by organized crime groups. It helps in arm trafficking, smuggling, etc. Smuggling occupies a major portion within organized crime framework. This criminal factor is responsible for driving in large volume of sales and profit margins. Profit oriented crimes are performed through ports and waterways since this transportation mode is least costly. Thus it enables criminal groups to acquire maximum percentage of revenue margins. Waterways cover wide geographical region and hence it becomes easier to trade goods or services.11 Largest commercial ports encompasses organized crime activities such as increased chemical shipments in relation to drug production, synthetic drugs manufactured domestically are being exported to ports situated abroad and wide scale import of cigarettes. These consumer products are manufactured without paying any tax and thus can be regarded as an illegal product. The trends are closely knitted with three important factors. They are - most counterfeit products are originally transported from China and nearby regions, principle marine port is targeted by organized crime groups and outbound or inbound smuggling networks are effectively controlled by large scale of criminal networks. Increased container volume plays a critical role in outbound and inbound smuggling activities. Traffic volume decreases likelihood of counterfeit goods being seized, inspected and detected. Lack of security measures tend to support organized crime activities at waterways and ports. There are many organized crime groups situated in Vancouver and Montreal. Marine ports appeared as an important transportation medium since criminal groups were formed in multiple locations across the globe. The vulnerability of waterways and ports were initiated through high traffic volume, permission for storage of international and domestic containers within the same shipping compound, and lack of inspection or security measures.12 Organized crime in terms of drugs, human or arms smuggling have rapidly increased in recent decades. Water transport saved significant costs for these organized crime groups which were eventually transformed into performing illegal activities. Conclusion This research study has clearly portrayed various dimensions of organized crime and its probable impact on economic conditions. Organized crime as per the study has grown in past few decades. This has been because of increased involvement of politicians or other influential individuals. It can be stated that organized crime is all about performing criminal activities within well structure format. Rules or regulations are framed by criminal groups in order to exhibit illicit activities. There are different forms of organized crime observed across the globe such as smuggling, human trafficking, money laundering, fraudulent activities, etc. The research paper has outlined importance of ports and waterways in context of organized crime. Transportation modes have always been a critical component while performing criminal activities. Road transport is used by many criminals so as to execute specific tasks whereas water transport offers cost effective transportation mode to organized crime groups. Water transport lacks inspection and hence is profitable for such groups. High container volume was one of the reasons which initiated usage of maritime transportation. Counterfeit goods are basically observed to be shipped across national borders. Outbound and inbound smuggling are largely noticed in waterways and port areas. Bibliography Albini, Joseph and Jeffrey McIllwain. Deconstructing Organized Crime: An Historical and Theoretical Study. New York: McFarland. 2012. Bachman, Ronet and Russell Schutt. The Practice Of Research In Criminology And Criminal Justice. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications. 2011. Boba, Rachel. Crime Analysis and Crime Mapping. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications. 2005. Bryman, Alan and Emma Bell. Business Research Methods. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2003. Finklea, Kristin. Organized Crime in the United States: Trends and Issues for Congress. Washington, DC: Congressional Research Center. 2011. McCollum, Bill. Threat Posed by the Convergence of Organized Crime, Drug Trafficking, and Terrorism: Congressional Hearing. New York: DIANE Publishing. 2002. Schatz, Sara. Impact of Organized Crime on Murder of Law Enforcement Personnel. Columbus, Ohio: Springer. 2014. Silverman, David. Qualitative Research. London: SAGE. 2010. Tiddlier, Charles. Foundations Of Mixed Methods Research. California: SAGE. 2009. Tracy, Sarah. Qualitative Research Methods. UK: John Wiley & Sons. 2012. United Nations. Globalization of Crime, The: A Transnational Organized Crime Threat Assessment. London: United Nations Publications. 2014. Zhivan, Alach. “An incipient taxonomy of organised crime”. In Trends in Organized Crime 14, no.1 (2011): 56–72. Read More