Structures of Organized Crime Groups

The internal structures of organized crime groups vary depending on the illegal activities in which they engage and geographic area in which they are located. Some organizations have very rigid power structures that are passed from generation to generation, and others have flexible entrepreneurial structures. These differences are more evident when comparing domestic organized crime groups with international organized crime groups. For example, organized crime groups in Colombia are very tightly configured to support their almost exclusive drug business, while organized crime groups in the United States are set up to accommodate a range of criminal activities.

 

To prepare for this Discussion:

• Review Chapter 11 of your course text, Drugs, Gangs, and Organized Crime. Track the development of organized crime families in New York. Reflect on the various characteristics that overlap these organized crime units, especially those related to structure.
• Review Chapter 12 of your course text, Drugs, Gangs, and Organized Crime. Consider the common themes of organized crime units in Italy.
• Review the article, "The Prosecution of Chinese Organized Crime Groups: The Sister Ping Case and its Lessons." Reflect on the details surrounding the Sister Ping case. Also, consider how organized crime in China is similar to and different from organized crime in the U.S.
• Reflect on the similarities and differences between domestic organized crime groups, such as those found in New York, and international organized crime groups, such as those located in Italy and China.
• Based on your readings or your own research, select one domestic organized crime group and one international organized crime group.
• Identify two similarities and two differences between the structures of those that you selected.

With these thoughts in mind:

Post by Day 4 a brief description of the two organized crime groups you selected. Then, explain two similarities and two differences between the structures of these organized crime groups. Finally, explain at least one insight you had, or conclusion you drew, about domestic and international organized crime groups, as a result of completing this assignment. .