Organized crime

Some groups work together to break the law.

They do this to make money. Some groups use fear to stay in control.

These groups can be very large. They may act like a business. Some groups are even like a family.

Some groups are made of young people. They may call themselves a gang. They often want to feel like they belong.

These groups may use special symbols. They might use colors or tattoos. This shows who is in the group.

Many people work hard to stop them. They want to keep our world safe.

Organized crime happens when groups work together to break laws.

Most of these groups do illegal things to make money. Some groups use fear to keep control. They might force shopkeepers to pay them money. Other groups sell things that the law bans. This includes things like drugs or guns.

These groups can work in many ways. Some act like a business with many rules. They have leaders at the top. Others work like a family. They use old traditions and close ties to stay together. In some places, groups like the Yakuza have their own ways.

Street gangs are also a type of organized group. These are often made of young people. Some join gangs to feel like they belong. They may want to find friends or feel important. Gangs often use symbols to show who they are. They might use special colors, flags, or tattoos.

Many countries work hard to stop these groups. They want to make the world safer for everyone.

Organized crime involves groups that work together to break laws.

Most of these groups act like illegal businesses. Their main goal is usually to make a profit. Some groups sell things that the law bans. This includes things like illegal drugs or firearms. Other groups use fear to get what they want. They might force shopkeepers to pay them money for protection. Some groups are even driven by politics instead of money.

These groups often follow specific ways of working. Some act like large companies with many rules. They have a complex structure with many different jobs. These groups use a top-down way to give orders. They might even use written rules to stay organized. However, this can be risky if someone finds their records. Other groups work more like a family network. They rely on old traditions and close social ties. They often value family members and cultural history.

History shows many different types of these groups. Researchers have studied the Sicilian Mafia in Italy. They have also looked at the Russian bratva. Other groups include the Chinese triads and the Japanese yakuza.

In India, there were groups called the thuggee. These groups have existed in different ways for a long time. Some groups are local, while others work across many countries. This is often called transnational crime.

Different countries face different kinds of organized crime. In the United States, the law defines it as a disciplined association. One of the largest groups was the Cosa Nostra.

Recently, groups from Russia, China, and Japan have grown. In 2017, the U.S. identified Mexican cartels as a major threat.

These cartels control large areas used to move illegal drugs. They include the Sinaloa and the Jalisco New Generation cartels. There are also the Juárez, Gulf, Los Zetas, and Beltrán-Leyva cartels.

Street gangs are another important part of this topic. These groups are often made of young people.

Many youths join gangs to feel like they belong. They may want to find status or new friends. Gangs often use symbols to show their identity. They might use special colors, flags, or tattoos. Some gangs focus on controlling a specific neighborhood or territory. This can lead to fights over different areas. The United Nations works to stop all organized crime by 2030.

Organized crime describes centralized enterprises that engage in illegal activities. These groups often operate as illegal businesses to generate profit. Some organizations are driven by politics rather than money. These include terrorist groups, rebel groups, and separatists. Many criminal groups rely on fear or terror to maintain control. They may use tactics similar to authoritarian regimes to keep power. Some groups exist to meet the demand for banned goods. This includes the trade of illegal drugs or firearms. Other groups use extortion to force people into business. For example, gangs may demand protection money from shopkeepers.

Sociologists study different models of how these groups function. One model is the patron-client network. These networks consist of fluid interactions between smaller units. They often rely on family, social, or cultural traditions. These groups value familiarity and deep-rooted belief systems. They may use religion or class politics to maintain order. Communication and rules often depend on social etiquette and history. Another model is the bureaucratic or corporate operation. These groups have a rigid and complex authority structure. They use an extensive division of labor between different classes. Responsibilities are carried out in an impersonal manner. They often use written rules and top-down communication. However, this model has significant risks. Written records can jeopardize the security of the whole group. Infiltration at lower levels can cause a house of cards effect.

A third model involves youth and street gangs. A street gang is a self-formed association of peers. They are united by mutual interests and identifiable leadership. These groups often work collectively to control a territory. Many youths join gangs to feel accepted or gain status. Some join because they lack a sense of unity at home. In deteriorating neighborhoods, conflict can promote group cohesion. This is sometimes called a zone of transition. Gangs often create a symbolic identity to represent themselves. They use recognizable colors, symbols, patches, flags, or tattoos.

History provides many examples of famous criminal organizations. Researchers have studied the original Sicilian Mafia in Italy. This group influenced studies on the Russian bratva. Other examples include the Indonesian preman and the Chinese triads. The Japanese yakuza is another well-known group.

In India, historical groups were known as the thuggee. These groups have different structures and cultural roots. Some are local, while others are transnational. Transnational groups operate across many different countries. Academic studies show how these groups impact global economies.

Different nations have specific laws regarding these groups. In the United States, the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970 provides a definition. It describes organized crime as a highly organized, disciplined association. Criminal activity that follows a structured process is called racketeering. Historically, the Cosa Nostra was a major force in America. Since the end of the Cold War, international presence has grown. Groups from Russia, China, Italy, Nigeria, and Japan have expanded. In the UK, police estimate 38,000 people work in 6,000 groups. These numbers show the massive scale of the underworld.

In the United States, certain groups pose specific threats. The 2017 National Drug Threat Assessment identified Mexican cartels. These are classified as transnational criminal organizations, or TCOs. They dominate large regions used for producing and moving drugs.

Six specific cartels have the greatest influence. These include the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels. They also include the Juárez, Gulf, Los Zetas, and Beltrán-Leyva cartels. These organizations control the cultivation and importation of illicit drugs.

Organized crime relates to many complex social systems. It can overlap with the functions of a state. In failed states, crime and governance sometimes complement each other. This happens when a state cannot provide security or education. Some countries become kleptocracies or mafia states. These are governments heavily involved with organized crime. In some cases, a few families may control a country. This is sometimes referred to as an oligarchy. The United Nations has set a goal to combat crime. Sustainable Development Goal 16 aims to stop organized crime by 2030. This is part of the broader 2030 Agenda for the world.