Approaches of Combating Transnational Organized Crimes

Approaches of Combating Transnational Organized Crimes
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Approaches of Combating Transnational Organized Crimes
Transitional organized crimes paint a major threat to nations. Their impact is felt by security agencies, health interventions, economies and democratic establishments. Currently, escalation of the illicit networks is not the only danger but also diversification of the crime activities. The illicit networks are driven by the motive of making a profit (Pankratz and Matiasek, 2012). The crimes have shifted from convergence threats to destabilizing effects like violence and use of explosives. What is new in the malpractice is the propagation in geographic scope, volume, and their complexity. Thus, need for a suitable approach to solving these problems. In the present world, international crimes are roughly transaction associated deals and not products. But still illicit trade like human trafficking and smuggling, drug trafficking and weapon trafficking pose a great danger to democratic institutions. The study focuses on strategies to combat transnational organized crimes. It encompasses an assessment of the malpractices and ends with a vivid description of tactics that can be of help in solving the problem.
Assessment of Transnational Crimes
Transnational organized crime denotes self-propagated connotations of persons functioning across the borders of two or more nations with the purpose of gaining commercial or influential power, through awkward, illegal, or violent means. Through rationalization, they manage to confuse individuals to be their followers (The White House, 2011). Hence, use their powers in addition to their members to exploit nations or parts of countries. The transitional organized crimes operate in a diversity of structures (United Nations Office of Drug and Crime, 2010). They vary from region to region, cells to cells, network to networks or nation to nation. An aspect which enables them to skip being arrested or being brought to law. The offenders act conspiratorially in their crimes. Moreover, in one way or the other they seem to develop or initiate activities such as violence or other events that threaten their subjects to follow their demands. Exploits variances between two or more parties with the aim of avoiding detection or expanding their power. Endeavors to gain influence in commerce, politics or state through corruption or even legitimate ways. Their goal is the economic achievement which is not only from the multinational wrongdoings but also from authentic investments like real estate businesses or other assets. Their organizational structure insulates their headship and affiliation from prosecution, sanction or detection.
Threats to governance: Third world countries and other destabilized nations with the frail rule of law are vulnerable to transitional organized crimes penetration (The White House, 2011). The infiltration of these illicit networks is deepening, results to weakening of authority and co-option in limited cases. The apparent escalation of these threats in high-level businesses and even in intelligence services in developing countries depicts a threat to democratic institutions and economic growth. Corruption in these nations has significantly promoted these activities. Even the law and prosecution agencies have turned a blind eye on the phenomena due to corruption. Hence, creating an opportunity for the affiliates to insinuate their forbidden business in society. They support their members to office by bribery. Thus, quickly gain political say. The networks build a close association with security teams, law implementation agencies, commercial bodies and political front-runners. A factor that weakens free market and threatens security. Somalia demonstrates how transnational organized crimes can lead to nation instability and undermine the economy.
Intellectual property theft: The transnational organized crimes networks can be involved in a robbery of intellectual property of a nation. It can be achieved through the intrusion into proprietary and corporate data stored in computer systems. The theft varies from video games, music and videos to fashionable high-tech designs and brand names (The White House, 2011). Intellectual property theft is the chief root of fake products in the market. Hence, leading to significant losses to legitimate business enterprises. Illicit groups like terrorists can steal information from security agencies and utilize it to effect an attack on innocent civilians or even combat the government troop. Thus, the practice can expose nations to insecure scenarios. It erodes business competitiveness and threatens individual health and safety. So if one citizen suffers from consuming the wrong product which may be the probable outcome of the crime, the good producers are brought to question. Because the illicit dealers disappear, leaving no one to question other than the legit manufacturers. Hence, intellectual property theft is a disaster to both the state and the society. Between 2003 and 2010 the United States tolls seizures resulting from the practice leaped from ninety-four million to one hundred and eighty-eight million U.S. dollars (The White House, 2011).
Terrorism, piracy, and insurgency: presently the terror and insurgency intimidations have heightened (The White House, 2011). For instance, there the al-Qaida, the Islamic State and Al-Shabaab networks that are leading revolutions in their nations and across the borders. Al-Shabaab revolts are key to insecurity in Somalia. Moreover, they participate in piracy along the Indian Ocean. Conditions that have forced the Africa Union and other international agencies to deploy soldiers to calm the situation. On the other hand, the Islamic State group is in charge of the upsurges of Syria and Iraq. Also the Al-Qaida is a terror group that endangers peace of many nations. The recent ship attacks off the Somalia coast has depicted piracy as a threat to national security. With the current propagation of other illicit networks there room for privateering expansion has continuously been successful. Thus, need for international agencies and affected countries to put strict measures to help cap this malpractice.
Drug trafficking: the fight against illicit drugs has been much successful in the recent years, especially prohibition of the cocaine trade. However, banned drugs are still a threat to the security, safety and health (United Nations Office of Drug and Crime, 2012). Drugs fuel the violence, impunity, and power of transnational organized crimes (Wagley, 2006). Drug dealers in Mexico are intensifying to inflate their grasp into the U.S., to shield the set-up and to unite their market. On the other hand Latin America cartels are taking advantage of the local crime networks in West Africa to transit cocaine to the middle Europe and Western Europe. The Afghan smuggle heroin to the U.S. and the Europe. To make matters worse, well-established economies like Balkans, Italy, China and Russia that had limited ties to drug dealers are now mounting supply networks and markets. Commonly the escalation of drug trafficking is accompanied by a rise in corruption and surge in crimes. The overdose of illegal drugs killed an estimate of thirty-eight thousand Americans in 2007 (The White House, 2011). Comparing the value to the 1992 projection it was established that the number had tripled. Hence, depicting an increase in illicit drug takes with time.
Wildlife trafficking: it comprehends the illicit trade of wildlife by the organized felonious groups (United Nations Office of Drug and Crime, 2010). The illegitimate networks utilize poachers to get the desired products from animals. Most common animal product trafficked are tiger parts, rhino horns, and elephant ivory. The annual profits of wildlife product trading from Africa to Asia only is estimated to be $75 million (United Nations Office of Drug and Crime, 2012). The transnational organized crime networks also smuggle rare plants. The practice is endangering endangered species of animals and plants. If the unlawful trade proceeds and propagates some wildlife will become extinct.
Human smuggling: it is the acceleration, transit or illegal entry of immigrants in a nation. The individuals have a goal doing a crime or legitimate duties. However, they violate a country's laws as they enter its borders (United Nations Office of Drug and Crime, 2012). The crimes can range from terrorism to drug trafficking. Escaping prosecution in their nations and desire to participate in uprisings can also drive persons to another. The criminals can enter by evading legitimate border controls or by use of fake documents. In corrupt nations, they can even use fraudulent means such as bribery, duplication of papers or any other cunning ways. A majority of people are smuggled into the U.S. and other nations. The transnational human trafficking networkss are related to other crimes including corruption, terrorism, drug trafficking and weapon smuggling. The practice hinders sovereignty nations and jeopardizes the lives of the smuggled persons (United Nations Office of Drug and Crime, 2010). The United Nations office on drugs and crime carried an assessment of transnational organized crimes in 2010. The report established that smuggling of people from the Latin America to the U.S. leaped nearly 6.6 billion illicit profits (The White House, 2011).
Weapons trafficking: black markets play a significant role in illicit arms distribution (United Nations Office of Drug and Crime, 2010). Today surges in transnational organized crimes have stimulated the weapon trafficking. The products are of use in terrorism and drug trafficking activities. The illicit arms trade supply armaments to revolt groups within a nation. Hence, making the teams riskier and treacherous (United Nations Office of Drug and Crime, 2012). Thus, contributing to unrest in countries. Since possessing the networks, weaponry gives them the ability to battle security agencies. Moreover, the illegal networks can form a robust and compact troop. That can escalate and expand to neighboring nations. Hence, causing destabilizations in regions. As per the UNODOC the weapon trafficking fuel violence and weakens justice, development and security throughout the world. In 2006, the illicit arm transactions was estimated to be above $100 million (The White House, 2011). In the United States, the federal law enforcement entities have seized vast of weapons being rustled to countries like Yemen, Somalia, Philippines, Russia, China, and Mexico among others. Hence, demonstrating the trend of firearm trafficking in the world. The business also entails items that can be used to produce weapons. The clients generate money by illicit sales. Thus, revealing why the black market is highly profitable and why persons take the risks involved in the practice.
Weapon trafficking is the primary root of piracy, terrorism, human trafficking, insurrections and political stigmas experienced in the world. For instance, without weapons pirates will find it hard to attack a ship. On the other hand terrorism will not be successful. However, due to influential powers of some personalities, the business is propagating from nation to nation.
Human trafficking: denotes the practice of obtaining or holding one individual or more in compelled service (Wagley, 2006). The services include forced labor, slavery, involuntary servitude and debt bondage. The practice is also termed as trafficking in persons. It precisely targets an individual or individuals for crime exploitation (The White House, 2011). The victims are often physically and emotionally harmed or even sexually exploited. The illicit exercise can take place within a nation or nations. At times, the trafficked people are sold to other human trading organizations. Hence, designating the present day slavery. Malpractices like sexual exploitation are personal abuse that affects people physically and emotionally; moreover, can lead to health hazards like HIV/ AIDs. Thus, the practice can make one suffer for the entire life. However, some persons facilitate the practice for their personal gains (United Nations Office of Drug and Crime, 2010). The illicit gains embrace profits from labor, slavery or debt bondage. Thus, this is the ill motive that drives the human trafficking business. The profits are then utilized to intensify the trade through bribery or fake documentation. Hence, making the aspect difficult to handle or restrict. Because the affiliates bribe to avoid arrest or to escape prosecution. Furthermore, some of them have gained influence in power in their respective nations.
Trafficking of natural resources: the transnational organized crime network facilitates the smuggling of natural products like diamond and rare metals. To gain more influence, the networks fund criminal groups. Hence, causing a political turmoil in a nation. Under this circumstance, they smuggle their products to desired markets or storage places. An annual income of $ 3-5 billion is generated from timber smuggling in South-East Asia (United Nations Office of Drug and Crime, 2012). Moreover, the illicit business contributes poverty, climate change and deforestation.
Cybercrime: with the advancement in computer technology its use is increasing and expanding new population day by day. Hence, transnational organized crimes are increasingly focused on cybercrime to capture more people (United Nations Office of Drug and Crime, 2010). Cybercrimes annually cost users billions of dollars. Through the practice criminals pose a weighty menace to local and international financial organizations (United Nations Office of Drug and Crime, 2012). Hence, a risk to the world economies. For instance, the online deceits committed by the Central European cybercrime networks conned Americans and U.S. entities about $ l billion in 2010 (The White House, 2011). The United States secret services reports that online financial frauds by unidentified individuals deprive the U.S. billions of dollars. The cybercrime not only directly upsets victims but can jeopardize citizens and companies' trust in the digital systems. Hence, depressing the reputation of computer technologies, which are vital to the society and world economies. With the present technology the crimes can be organized and occur within a short time, but causing deadly disasters. Moreover, the investigation of the misconducts is hard. Partly due the technology. For instance, a person in the neighboring continent can organize a cybercrime in one nation and vanish. On investigation, only the people he used at the ground could be arrested. Sadly these individuals had no abilities to commit a crime they were detailed by a person who is at large.
The role of facilitators
The facilitators connect the series of transnational organized crimes. The architects include semi-legitimate participators such as real estate brokers, bankers, accountants, politicians, and notaries link between the legitimate, and illicit activities offer terrorists, criminals, and their clients' services. Transnational organized crime networks rely on industry professionals to fashion the essential infrastructure to which help them conduct their illicit schemes. The unlawful arrangements include laundering cash, forming Shell Corporation, opening businesses and accounts in the shell corporation name. The profit from the ventures helps them with money for facilitating their illegal trade. Moreover, bankers and business proprietors are solicited to launder money. Hence, workforces of legal establishments are used to cover smuggling operations. The international criminals like the terrorists, firearm traffickers, human smugglers and drug traffickers rely on a protected transportation networks and secure setting from where they can stage their activities or store either cash or products for use or safety. To move from one nation to they depend on fraudulently produced or obtained documents like visas and passport.
The facilitators design places or businesses for these networks to translate revenues to authentic assets. The facilities can be front companies, monetary mediators or casinos. Moreover, they utilize these services in staging their deals (The White House, 2011). They also fight for their affiliates during problems. For instance, if a member is arrested they put effort to ensure his release. They can utilize corrupt means. In the case of a suit they hire competent lawyers and even can bribe legal officers. They are the same people who acquire political influence in a nation. Hence, utilize their powers in propagating illicit activities. With time, the networks grow and start expanding to other countries. At this period, the business has generated enough capital to hire followers from countries to augment the trade. With time, the illicit business affiliates become stronger and more influential in society. Making fighting the trade difficult.
The facilitators escape prosecution due to lack of evidence. Partly because the black market is much more secretive and if an affiliate is arrested he rebukes to reveal the truth about the o...