Investigation of Major Drug Distribution Cartels (From Critical Issues in Criminal Investigation, Second Edition, P 113-139, 1988, Michael J Palmiotto, ed. -- See NCJ-109292)

• NCJ Number: 109297
• Author(s): W D Hyatt
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 27 pages
• Sale Source: Anderson Publishing Co
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This paper describes the 'organized crime' groups most involved in narcotics distribution and the most popular methods of combating them, and it identifies citizens' rights issues raised by these methods.

Abstract

A syndicate is a criminal organization that governs relationships between various enterprises, fixes prices for illicit goods and services, allocates territories, settles disputes, and provides protection from prosecution. Syndicates involved in drug trafficking include the Mafia, outlaw motorcycle gangs (Hells Angels, The Pagans, The Bandidos, and The Outlaws), prison gangs (Mexican Mafia, The Aryan Brotherhood, La Nuestra Familia, and The Black Guerrilla Family), Colombian drug families, and the Herrera family of Mexico. Methods used to combat these drug syndicates are investigative grand juries; electronic surveillance; the use of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, which attacks the organization itself; the investigation of money laundering, primarily through the Bank Secrecy Act of 1970; and the task force approach to prosecution. Some of the citizens' rights issues raised by these methods are the prosecutor's power through the investigative grand jury, surveillance privacy invasions, the privacy of financial records, and the broad use of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. 52 notes and 13 references.