NCJ Number
141467
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 60 Issue: 2 Dated: (February 1993) Pages: 28,31
Date Published
1993
Length
2 pages
Annotation
The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), money laundering, and asset forfeiture laws complement each other in their efforts to arrest and prosecute gang members and ultimately weaken the street gang structure.
Abstract
To begin using these laws effectively, law enforcement agencies must first view street gangs as criminal organizations. Although informal, the gang structure resembles that of organized crime families. Profits gained from illegal activities are used to finance the preservation and continuing operation of the gang. Street gangs are known to use violence, fraud, intimidation, and murder to enforce and protect their enterprises. Since these gangs accumulate large sums of money, they must use legitimate businesses, financial institutions, family members, lawyers, and other professions to process and hide their assets. Since there are forfeiture provisions in most racketeering statutes, the investigation of gangs should address the financial disclosure of the gang, its members, and the members' families. The overall investigative effort must address the entire gang organization and its auxiliary components. Investigative tools such as search warrants, subpoenas, wire taps, and grand jury inquiries should be considered, since they will help produce evidence not only of crimes committed but, of the enterprise's existence and assets.