NCJ Number
101283
Date Published
1986
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This review of organized crime in sections of Africa considers its structure, causal conditions, costs, and preventive strategies.
Abstract
Organized crime in Africa primarily involves smuggling, poaching, profiteering, some forms of racketeering, tax evasion, and the illegal digging and sale of valuable minerals. These activities are usually directed by marginal businessmen working with highly placed public officials who abuse their positions for profit. They recruit the urban unemployed to perform some of the criminal tasks. Overall, official efforts to counter these organized criminal enterprises have not been successful. One effective measure has been the creation of special law enforcement agencies to deal with specific crime problems. These include the Egyptian coastal guards, checkpoint police in Lagos, and governmental units that inspect Nigerian imports. Some countries have enacted legislation directed at particular types of organized crime, and bilateral agreements have been established among countries to stem the flow of illegal international trade. Much research must be done to clarify underlying issues and processes so as to provide a base for the development of workable prevention strategies. 29 references.