NCJ Number
106775
Date Published
1987
Length
215 pages
Annotation
Symposium papers examine organized crime (OC) and its control.
Abstract
The characteristics of OC groups, their evolution, activities, and vulnerabilities are examined. The nature of OC is considered, and its entrepreneurial characteristics are outlined. Specific OC groups are identified, including those involved in drug trafficking. Implications of OC characteristics for law enforcement policies and actions are considered, with an emphasis on the need for policy-driven law enforcement planning and operations. Legal and operational issues in OC enforcement efforts are addressed, including the need for interagency cooperation, investigation, intelligence gathering and analysis, and prosecution. The major provisions of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) are delineated, and its utility as both an investigative and prosecutorial tool is discussed. Both civil and criminal remedies available under RICO are described, and instances of their application are provided in illustration. The implications of the market forces at play in narcotics trafficking are considered as they relate to research and enforcement. OC research needs, methods, and applications in policymaking also are considered. A list of participants is appended. Chapter references.