Statement of Gary D Liming, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Intelligence on Organized Crime in the Great Lakes Region, January 31, 1984 (From Profile of Organized Crime - Great Lakes Region - Hearings, P 562-575, 1984-See NCJ-94574)

• NCJ Number: 94580
• Author(s): G D Liming
• Date Published: 1984
• Length: 20 pages
• Corporate Author: Drug Enforcement Admin
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Available on microfiche as NCJ-94574

Annotation

The combination of drug trafficking and organized crime represents the most serious problem facing the United States today. Drug organizations are sophisticated and well-organized. Many of these organizations span international boundaries since they encompass drug production areas in foreign countries and distribution points in the United States.

Abstract

Drug trafficking involves both traditional criminal organizations such as the Cosa Nostra and diverse nontraditional groups such as outlaw motorcycle gangs. The traditional criminal organizations seem to be reestablishing old smuggling routes from Canada for heroin and cocaine. There is a great deal of alleged and documented narcotics trafficking by traditonal organized crime figures in the Great Lakes. Of the outlaw motorcycle gangs, the Outlaws Club seems to be the most active in drug trafficking. This gang has an extensive intelligence network that makes infiltration hazardous. There is increasing interaction between the traditional crime networks and motorcycle gangs. Drug trafficking cannot be ended without attacking organized crime. Organized crime cannot be crippled without removing the profits from the drug traffic. However, law enforcement is better equipped for this challenge than ever before. The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces enable law enforcement officials to more effectively target the most significant drug trafficking organizations.