UNIT III.

ORGANIZED CRIME
What is special crime- commonly considered as crime without crime scene such as
corporate crime. Its commission is not physically inflicted but by the use of strategies that
are conceived by the mind. It is different with sensational crime such that the latter displays
public affection on the matter. It is gruesome in some degree that it affects the emotion of
the public and raise public concerns.

WHO COMMITTED SPECIAL CRIMES - usually perpetrated by" ORGANIZED CRIME GROUPS"
(in the Philippines)

a. The Notable criminally-active gangs in Philippines include:

1. Aludig-Boys
2. Akyat-Bahay Gang
3. Bahala Na Gang
4. Budol-Budol Gang Dugo-Dugo Gang
5. Kuratong Baleleng Martilyo Gang
6. Salisi Gang
7. Zesto Gang
8. Satanas (gang)
9. Gucci Gang

b. With the exceptions of organized crime groups in the upper class which up to present
lacks definition due to dearth of researches conducted to give meaning and definitions of
these groups. These gangs maybe organized but their crimes are just petty since it involves
harmful attacks to each other and are confined only on overt street crimes. The challenges
here are for us to give definition to the upper class criminal groups which are proven to
more destructive than these small gangs. These organized group in the upper class are
involved in the perpetration of the following white collar crimes, such as:

1. Money laundering
2. Corruption
3. Malversation and the likes

If we are to assess, which are more pervasive the street gangs or the so called men in
robes.

CONCEPTS OF ORGANIZED CRIME

Organized crime is a category of transnational, national, or local groupings of highly

centralized enterprises run by criminals who intend to engage in illegal activity, most
commonly for profit. Some criminal organizations, such as terrorist groups, are politically
motivated.

How committed and scope of operations organized crimes groups operates transnationally
and are committed for purposes of gaining profit with the element of illegality It consists of
corruptions to bribery motivated by the hunger of power and authority In terms of economic
crimes, it is perpetrated for accumulating gigantic profit to the suffering of others.

ORGANIZED CRIME

1. A complex set of people and functions interrelated in hierarchical structure

specifically for the purpose of attaining set goals.
2. A system of crime in which a group of individuals create and maintain a corporate-
like organization, its members having individually-recognized responsibilities and
obligations.
3. The crimes in the modern world represent the latest and the most dangerous
manifestations of the something-for-nothing complex problems of society and this
includes ORGANIZED CRIMES
4. Organized crime or criminal organizations is a transnational grouping of highly
centralized enterprises run by criminals for the purpose of engaging in illegal activity
most commonly for the purpose of generating a monetary profit
5. A criminal activity by an enduring structure of organization developed and devoted
primarily to the pursuit of profits through illegal means.

Although there is no generally accepted definition of organized crime indeed. the Federal
Organized Crime Control Act of 1970 fails to define organized crime ()-a number of
attributes have been identified by law enforcement agencies and researchers as indicative of
the phenomenon. Offering these attributes has a practical dimension: the attributes provide
a basis for determining if a particular group of criminals constitutes organized crime and,
therefore, needs to be approached in a way different from the way one would approach
terrorists or groups of conventional criminals. Organized crime

1. Has no political goals

2. Is hierarchical
3. Has a limited or exclusive membership
4. Constitutes a unique sub culture
5. Perpetuates itself
6. Exhibits a willingness to use illegal violence
7. is monopolistic
8. Is governed by explicit rules and regulations

Example:

 are those referred to as the MOB, MAFIA SYNDICATE or the COSA NOSTRA which
are known as the ENEMY WITHIN, THE SECOND GOVERNMENT THE FIFTH STATE
OR CRIME CONFEDERATION
 COSA NOSTRA-Literally - "ONE THING"
 Use to signify organized crimes.

Attributes of organized crime groups

1. It is hierarchal
2. It is monopolistic
 3. If perpetuates itself
4. It has no political goal
5. Its constitutes a unique culture
6. It has limited and exclusive membership
7. It is governed by explicit rules and regulations
8. It demonstrates specialization or division of labor
9. It exhibits a willingness to use illegal violence and bribery

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

THE MAFIA FAMILY TREE

This structure is in the Landscape

The Boss oversees all organizational endeavors and has the final word on decisions
involving virtually all aspects of family business Bosses are typically older members of the
family who have proven their allegiance over a number of years during their affiliation with
the family

The Consigliere is a close associate of the boss who enjoys a considerable amount of
influence and status in the family serving the boss as a trusted advisor

The Underboss works at the pleasure of the boss and acts in his behalf when the boss is
incapacitated (e.g... sentenced to prison, becomes ill, etc.)

Underbosses are also trusted, older members of the family whose primary role is to relay
instructions to those occupying lower positions in the family.

The Capos are a sort of mid-level manager. One of the primary roles of the capo is to serve
as a buffer between the lowest level members and the upper level members of the family In
doing so, the capo is the trusted go. between through which all communications flow from
the boss to the lowest-level members.

Soldiers are lowest level members of the family also known as "wise guys," "made guys" or
"button men" who report directly to the capo and will often operate at least one specific
criminal enterprise

The Commission links the most powerful Mafia bosses to one central authoritative body
Commission members are bosses from families in New York, Buffalo, Chicago, and
Philadelphia. The purpose of the commission is to arbitrate disputes between families,
approve new members for initiation, authorize the execution of family members, facilitate
join ventures between families, and manage relations between American and Sicilian Mafia
factions

Also operating in behalf of the family are specialists. enforcers, informants who warn about
criminal investigations. impending raids, and corrupters. who pay control agents
(corruptees) and help ensure immunity for the organization and its members (Cressey 1969
Hess, 1973)
Organized Syndicated Group-- A profit-motivated. and highly-capable group of persons
or an enterprise. organized to undertake widespread, regular or long- term, large-scale,
high-profile and diversified criminal activities that has impact to the economy and national
security

Criminal Gang-- A group of two or more persons who have a common identifying
signs/symbols, and whose members, individually or collectively engage in or have a pattern
of criminal activity creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation within the community or
a specific area, using violence and intimidation.

HOW THE ORGANIZED CRIME GROUPS WORKS?

In an organized crime family it works in this manner to maintain coordination and loyalty

A. An ENFORCER - One who makes arrangements for killing and injuring the members or
non-members.

B. A CORRUPTER-One who bribes, buys, intimidates,threatens, negotiates and sweet talks

into a relationship with the police. public officials or any else who might help the members
security and maintain immunity from arrest, prosecution and punishment.

C. A CORRUPTEE- a public official, usually not a member of the organization family who
can wield influence on behalf of the organization's interest.

SOURCES OF ILLEGAL PROFIT

 Gains from goods and services that are of great demand by the society but are
prohibited by law
 The range of activities in which organized crime groups are said to be involved is
vast indeed.

CHARACTERISTICS OF ORGANIZED CRIMES

1. It is a conspiracy activity involving coordination of members.

2. Economic gain is the primary goal.
3. Economic gain is achieved through illegal means.
4. Employs predatory tactics such as intimidation, violence and corruption.
5. Effective control over members, associates, and victims.
6. Organized crime does not include dedicated to political change.

GENERIC TYPES OF ORGANIZED CRIMES

1. POLITICAL GRAFT - manned by political criminals who use force or violence of a

means to obtain profit or gain or achieving political aim. E.g. vote buying, private armies

2. THE MERCENARY/PREDATORY O.C. – crimes committed by groups for direct

personal profit but they prey upon unwilling victims.
 3. IN-GROUP ORIENTED O.C.- groups manned by semi-organized individuals whose
major goals are for psychological gratification such as adolescent gangs 4. SYNDICATED
CRIME - illicit activity through use of force, threat and intimidation.

ESSENTIAL COMPOSITION OF ORGANIZED CRIME

PROFESSIONAL CRIMES refers to occupations or their incumbents which possesses

various traits including useful knowledge that requires lengthy training, service orientation
and code of ethics that permits occupations to attempt to obtain autonomy and
independence with high prestige and remuneration.

CHARACTERISITICS OF PROFESSIONAL CRIMES

1. Crime is a sole means of livelihood

2. Careful planning, and reliance upon technical skills and methods.
3. Offenders are of migratory life style
4. The groups have shared sense of belongingness, rules, codes of behavior and mutual
specialized language.

WHITE COLLAR CRIMES as committed by organized crime groups

Committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of his/her
occupation.

FORMS OF WHITE COLLAR CRIMES

1. Corporate crimes - violation of a corporate statute either by a corporate entity or

by its executives. employees or agents, acting on behalf of and for the benefit of the
corporation, partnership or other business entity
2. Environmental crimes - damage some protected or otherwise significant aspect of
the natural environment
3. Occupational crimes - any act punishable by law which is committed through
opportunity created in the course of an occupation that is legal.

Occupational Crime Classification

1. Organizational - crimes committed for the benefit for the entire organization in such
instances only the organization/employer and not individual employees.
2. State authority crimes by officials through the exercise of their state based authority
3. Professional - crimes by professionals in their capacity as professionals.
4. Individual - by individuals employees

FIVE LEVELS OF ORGANIZATION

1. The criminal group. The criminal group represents the criminal core of organized
crime
2. The protectors - include corrupt public officials. business people, judges, attorneys,
financial advisers, and others who protect the interests of the criminal group.
3. Specialized support - includes persons who provide services that facilitate
organized crime activities, such as pilots, chemists, arsonists and smugglers
4. User support- provides the criminal group with their consumer market persons
who purchase organized crime's illegal goods and services, such as drug users,
patrons of bookmakers and prostitution rings, and people who knowingly purchase
stolen goods.
5. Social support involves persons and organizations who create a perception of
legitimacy for organized crime Examples include politicians who solicit the support of
organized crime figures, business leaders who do business with organized crime,
social and community leaders who invite organized crime figures to social gatherings,
and those who portray organized crime or its members in a favorable light.