Definition of Organized Crime

Delinquiry is the action by which a crime is committed, that is, something contrary to the law. The delinquency presents multiple faces and can be understood as an isolated event and starring an individual, as a social phenomenon that is part of daily life to a greater or lesser extent or as a plot organized by a group. In the latter case, one speaks of crime or organized crime.

The different ways of understanding organized crime

Although all the groups that are dedicated to organized crime have something in common (obtaining an economic benefit through illicit means), each criminal organization is different and with its own sources of funding: drugs, smuggling, arms trafficking, extortion, kidnapping, jewelery theft, clandestine workshops, counterfeiting of works of art, prostitution, etc. The activities that generate the most income they are drug trafficking, counterfeiting and human trafficking.

It can be understood in geographical and cultural terms

In Italy there are several

organizations Mafiosa (the Cosa Nostra, the Camorra or the ´Ndrangheta). In Mexico they speak of La Eme or MM, that is, the Mexican mafia. In Japan there is the Yakuza. In China criminal organizations are called Triads. In recent years the Russian mafia has also entered the organized crime sector.

From the point of view of safety, the police combat organized crime on multiple fronts: with measures to prevent crime, on the trail of money laundering, with brigades specialized, with supranational collaboration agreements and, ultimately, with all those strategies that hinder the activity of groups mobsters.

With respect to International Trade, products that are part of organized crime account for 5% of all Commerce global.

The consequences of organized crime are innumerable and affect the economy, to politics and to society as a whole.

Organized crime in the cinema

The different mafias have had and still have their leading role on the big screen. The best known case is the saga of The Godfather, but we must not forget films like "One of ours", "The untouchables" or "The honor of the Prizzi". The phenomenon of Mexican drug trafficking has been addressed in "Sicario". The Japanese Yakuza, the Russian or Irish mafia also have their own films.

Photos: Fotolia - Funway5400 / The Last Word

Organized Crime Issues