NCJ Number
201650
Date Published
2002
Length
55 pages
Annotation
This report summarizes the main activities of organized crime groups, gangs, criminal extremists, and terrorists operating in the State of California.
Abstract
One of the fastest growing forms of organized crimes in California is Eurasian organized crime (EOC). This group typically engages in car theft, prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, extortion, money laundering, fraud, and drug trafficking. Recently six suspects belonging to EOC were arrested for operating the largest prostitution ring in the history of Los Angeles. Asian Organized Crime (AOC) continues to proliferate in California; its members are involved in the increasingly sophisticated crimes of currency and credit card counterfeiting, computer chip theft, and computer software piracy. Traditional organized crime (TOC) from a few East Coast crime families has become active in California. Recently, the New York-based Gambino crime family attempted to extort $150,000 per film from a well-known actor. Mexican drug trafficking organizations (DTO) introduce multi-ton quanitities of illegal drugs to California. Recently, the discovery of an underground tunnel from Mexico to California has hindered their drug trafficking operations. Outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMG) are involved in numerous criminal activities in California and have a reputation for being indiscriminantly violent. A recent shootout between two rival OMGs occurred at Harrah’s Hotel and Casino, which endangered many innocent people and left three gang members dead. A select group of prison gangs continues to pose a threat to the State; their criminal operations extend beyond the walls of the prison. Recent developments include the conviction of two people whose dogs mauled someone to death because they were being trained to guard methamphetamine laboratories. Street gang-related criminal activities are once again on the rise, with the gangs engaging in more sophisticated crimes than they had in the past. Gang-related homicides are also increasing in California. The most prominent types of criminal extremists in California include a group of anarchists who create civil unrest at protests and demonstrations against the government. A serious threat to California is presented by the al-Qaeda terrorist organization. Recently four suspects with ties to al-Qaeda were apprehended by Spanish authorities with videotapes of targets around California. The report concludes with a description of the California Anti-Terrorism Information Center.