NCJ Number
69372
Date Published
1978
Length
68 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT DESCRIBES THE ROLE OF ORGANIZED CRIME AND DISCUSSES ORGANIZED CRIMINAL GROUPS IN TEXAS. FORMS OF WHITE COLLAR CRIME PECULIAR TO THE SUNBELT STATES ARE ALSO DETAILED.
Abstract
THE GREATEST INCREASE IN ORGANIZED CRIMINAL ACTIVITY IN TEXAS DURING 1978 WAS NARCOTICS TRAFFICKING, AND THE COUNCIL ANTICIPATES IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE MAJOR STAGING AREA FOR COCAINE, HEROIN AND MARIJUANA SMUGGLING INTO THE COUNTRY. GAMBLING ACTIVITIES HAVE EXPANDED AND WILL CONTINUE TO EXPAND AS NEW SPORTING EVENTS ARE INTRODUCED WITHIN THE STATE AND SURROUNDING STATES, RESULTING IN GREATER BETTING ACTIVITY (AN ESTIMATED $1 BILLION WAS WAGERED IN TEXAS DURING 1978). ORGANIZED CRIMINAL GROUPS IN TEXAS INCLUDE LA COSA NOSTRA, THE MEXICAN AND DIXIE MAFIAS, AND MOTORCYCLE GANGS. WHITE COLLAR CRIME, SUCH AS WELFARE, INSURANCE (ARSON), AND MAJOR CONSUMER FRAUDS, IS AN IMPORTANT LAW ENFORCEMENT ISSUE. BECAUSE OF TEXAS'S SUNBELT LOCATION AND BECAUSE OF THE VAST AMOUNTS OF MONIES AND NATURAL RESOURCES LOCATED WITHIN THE STATE, IT IS PREDICTED THAT SECURITY AND BANKING FRAUDS AND EMBEZZLEMENTS WILL CONTINUE AT GREATER RATES. THESE INCLUDE THE SALE OF FRAUDULENT SCHEDULE 'D' STOCK (OIL AND GAS DRILLING PROMOTIONS), AND SALE OF BANK STOCKS ('TEXAS RENT-A-BANK' SCHEMES). DEVELOPING A STRATEGY OF ORGANIZED CRIME CONTROL (TO INCLUDE WHITE COLLAR CRIME) IN CONJUNCTION WITH EXPANDED ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL QUOTAS IS SUGGESTED. IN ADDITION, PROSTITUTION, PRONOGRAPHY, FENCING OF STOLEN PROPERTY, AND AUTO THEFT RINGS ARE DETAILED.