ORGANIZED CRIME IS THREAT TO NATIONAL SECURITY

Abstract

Organized crime is a constantly evolving phenomenon affecting all countries without exception. Organized criminal groups consist of three or more individuals, have a certain level of structure, and exist for a period of time with the aim of committing at least one serious crime. Organized criminal groups also operate in concert with the common goal of obtaining financial or other material benefits. Often, organized criminal groups find their main sources of profit in providing illegal goods and services that are in high public demand. As profit-making is the primary objective of organized crime groups, they often go to great lengths to conceal and safeguard their illicit income through corruption, money laundering, extortion, and other forms of infiltration into commercial structures and government bodies. Organized criminal groups are characterized by their cross-border activities, and the range of areas in which they can be detected suggests that their presence in society is far more pervasive than is typically imagined.