NCJ Number
66380
Date Published
1980
Length
41 pages
Annotation
THIS 1979 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR'S ORGANIZED CRIME PREVENTION COMMISSION OF NEW MEXICO PRESENTS SIX CASE STUDIES OF HOW ORGANIZED CRIME INFILTRATES AND OPERATES IN THE STATE.
Abstract
THE COMMISSION WAS MANDATED TO ASSESS AND EVALUATE THE ACTIVITIES OF ORGANIZED CRIME AND TO DEVELOP PLANS AND PROGRAMS FOR ITS CONTROL AND SUPPRESSION IN NEW MEXICO. IN THE PAST THE AGENCY HAS FOCUSED ON ORGANIZED CRIME PENETRATIONS IN THE STATE AND HAS ASSISTED VARIOUS LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES IN DEALING WITH ORGANIZED CRIME. REPORTS HAVE MADE RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING DRUG TRAFFICKING, HORSE RACING, AND THE LIQUOR INDUSTRY AND ITS CONTROL. THE COMMISSION HAS COOPERATED IN THE ORGANIZATION OF STING OPERATIONS AND GIVEN INFORMATION, INTELLIGENCE, AND ASSISTANCE TO A VARIETY OF AGENCIES. IN 1979 THESE PROGRAMS WERE CONTINUED ALONG WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING PROGRAMS. A MORE PROACTIVE POSTURE TOWARDS THE EXPOSURE AND INTERDICTION OF ORGANIZED CRIME WAS ALSO INSTITUTUTED. SEVERAL CASE STUDIES OUTLINE RECENT ATTEMPTS BY ORGANIZED CRIMINALS TO GAIN A FOOTHOLD IN NEW MEXICO. ONE STUDY DESCRIBES THE ACTIVITIES OF THE ALFA CHEMICAL COMPANY CONDUCTED TO PENETRATE THE STATE WITH FRAUDULENT ORGANIZED CRIME ASSOCIATIONS; ANOTHER DISCUSSES THE SANDIA PUEBLO RACETRACK CASE--A CASE OF STATE REGULATION VERSUS TRIBAL RIGHTS. ALSO OUTLINED ARE THE CASE OF THOMAS CHARITY IN WHICH THE LAW WAS EXPLOITED TO GAIN MONOPOLISTIC CONTROL OVER THE MASSAGE-SEX PARLOR BUSINESS IN NEW MEXICO AND THE DUBIOUS ACTIVITIES OF BINGO OPERATION RACKETS. INVESTIGATIONS INTO COCAINE TRAFFICKING IN THE STATE, BANK FRAUD, BUSINESS SCAMS, AND A HALF-WAY PROGRAM INVOLVED IN ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES ARE DELINEATED. INFORMATION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING AND RECENT LEGISLATION IN THE STATE CONCLUDE THE REPORT. (MJW)