NCJ Number
201595
Date Published
2003
Length
12 pages
Annotation
The Task Force on Organized Crime for the Baltic Sea Region presents a preliminary report on an examination of the links between organized crime and terrorism in the Baltic Sea Region.
Abstract
The report first reviews the various actions by international bodies -- the United Nations, the Council of the European Union, EUROPOL, and Interpol -- regarding terrorism. This is followed by a description of the framework, areas of cooperation, and deliberations of the Task Force on Organized Crime for the Baltic Sea Region. The preliminary report on the links between organized crime and terrorism in the Baltic Sea Region indicates that approximately half of the countries under Task Force jurisdiction have reported that they have found indications of links between organized crime and terrorism in their countries; however, a number of these countries have concluded that although such links exist, they are not specifically related to the Baltic Sea Region. The nature of the reported links consist primarily of the procurement of funds used for terrorist activities by committing various kinds of criminal acts, including money laundering. There are also reports of illegal migration with the objective of going into hiding or establishing a base for future terrorist activities. The organized falsification of passports for terrorist networks has also been identified as a link between organized crime and terrorism. One country reported that criminals, both national and foreign, with relations to foreign terrorist organizations have committed various criminal acts in several countries, apparently to secure funds for the support of terrorist activities. The report recommends that the investigation of the links between organized crime and terrorism be pursued further in the work of the Task Force.