NCJ Number
220309
Date Published
2007
Length
237 pages
Annotation
This report contains the main findings on the nature of and response to organized crime in the Netherlands, as determined from the third data sweep by the country's Organized Crime Monitor, who is responsible for using knowledge gained during large-scale investigations in order to gain insight into the nature of organized crime in the country.
Abstract
The report labels organized crime in the Netherlands as primarily "transit" crime, since it consists mainly of international smuggling activities--drug trafficking, smuggling illegal immigrants, human trafficking for sexual exploitation, arms trafficking, trafficking in stolen vehicles, and other transnational illegal activities such as money laundering and tax evasion. The previous two reports of the Organized Crime Monitor addressed the importance of existing social relationships in criminal associations involved in smuggling; however, the nature of some smuggling operations requires the use of "outsiders" who have the expertise and contacts necessary for a successful operation. This increases the risk for conflict and violence among smugglers when agreements are broken or unfulfilled. Regarding criminal investigations that involve organized crime, the trend is toward flexible prompt intervention strategies instead of large-scale, lengthy police investigations. Prompt interventions, however, may be combined with a more long-term investigation strategy. Covert policing/infiltration and uncontrolled deliveries are strictly regulated or forbidden. International cooperation is critical, as are measures that strengthen the licit economy against infiltration by organized crime personnel and proceeds. The main data and information sources of this research are files of closed Dutch police investigations of criminal groups. From 1996 to the present, data are available on 120 large-scale investigations. 4 tables and 234 references