NCJ Number
145942
Journal
Crime, Law and Social Change Volume: 20 Issue: 2 Dated: (September 1993) Pages: 99-111
Date Published
1993
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This study examines some implications of cross-border crime risks in a Europe with open borders.
Abstract
The development of an open economic space within the European Community and the increased accessibility of Eastern Europe will lead to new patterns of cross-border crimes. So do the risks of becoming a victim of one of those crimes; however, the risks may not be spread evenly; some markets may become more affected by crime entrepreneurs than other markets, although drug trafficking and drug-money laundering receive the most attention. Organized drug trafficking and organized fraud are not so clearly separated, however. From a crime entrepreneurial perspective, there are cross-border crime markets in European regions. The criminological implications may be the development of Euro-crime markets in which crime entrepreneurs develop lasting patterns of cooperation and cross-border organizations. This is already the case in the illicit drug market. Crime patterns in the field of organized commercial crime toxic-waste trafficking, or fraud point in the same direction. The implications for business and law enforcement alike are that without the development of new strategies of prevention and cross-border police investigations, organized crime may well intertwine itself with the developing European economic and social structure; it will thus find a corrosive foothold in the legitimate industry. 15 notes and references