NCJ Number
66263
Date Published
1971
Length
58 pages
Annotation
THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE SECOND INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON ORGANIZED CRIME, HELD AT INTERPOL HEADQUARTERS IN ST. CLOUD, FRANCE IN NOVEMBER 1971, PROVIDE A DISCUSSION OF ORGANIZATION AND ACTIVITIES OF ORGANIZED CRIME GROUPS.
Abstract
DELEGATES DESCRIBED THE DIFFICULTIES IN DEFINING ORGANIZED CRIME, E.G., GANG CRIME VERSUS SYNDICATED CRIME. THE FOLLOWING FORMS OF ORGANIZED CRIME WITHIN VARIOUS COUNTRIES INCLUDED: (1) ILLEGAL GAMBLING, (2) USURY, (3) INFILTRATION OF LEGAL COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES, (4) INFILTRATION INTO THE LABOR MARKET AND TRADE UNIONS, AND (5) DRUG TRAFFICKING. THE UNITED STATES DELEGATE PROVIDED A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE STRUCTURE AND ACTIVITIES OF THE 24 COSA NOSTRA FAMILES IN THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING THE HIERARCHIACAL LEVELS OF ORGANIZATION, THE FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMISSION, THE COSA NOSTRA'S RULING BODY, THE SPECIFIC CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES IN WHICH THE FAMILY ENGAGED IN BOTH ITALY AND THE UNITED STATES, AND EFFORTS AT PROSECUTION FOR ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES IN BOTH COUNTRIES. THE SINGAPORE DELEGATE DESCRIBED THE ACTIVITIES OF THE SECRET SOCIETIES AND THE FIGHT AGAINST THEM IN HIS COUNTRY. HE HIGHLIGHTED THE SOCIETIES' ORIGINS IN CHINA AND LAWS ADOPTED FOR DEALING WITH THEIR ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES IN SINGAPORE. A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZED CRIME IN EUROPE BY THE FEDERAL GERMAN DELEGATE NOTED THE POSSIBLE BEGINNINGS OF AMERICAN-STYLE CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS, ALTHOUGH THE ACTIVITIES OF INDIVIDUAL PROFESSIONAL CRIMINALS WERE STILL FELT TO PREDOMINATE. THE PASSAGE OF SPECIAL LAWS TO AID POLICE INVESTIGATIONS WORK IN SEVERAL COUNTRIES WAS NOTED, AS WELL AS RECENT EFFORTS IN SEVERAL STATES TO TRAIN POLICE FOR INVESTIGATION OF ILLEGAL BANKING OPERATIONS. REFERENCES AND CHARTS ARE PROVIDED. (DEG)