In addition, gangs increasingly are smuggling large quantities of heroin, cocaine, and MDMA (also known as ecstasy) into the United States. Local street gangs in rural, suburban, and urban areas transport drugs within very specific areas, most of what seem to be low socio-economical areas. Some gangs collect millions of dollars per month selling illegal drugs, trafficking weapons, operating prostitutions rings, and selling stolen property. Gangs launder their proceeds by investing in real estate, recording studios, motor cycle shops, and construction companies. The extent of gangs/drugs A proliferation in gangs will also mean a growth in drug and violence in our community’s and threatening society in general.
One of the main roots that has lead to the increasing of gangs, violence, murder rates, corruption, impunity, smuggling and crime of Mexico is drugs. Drug trafficking, drug production and drug consumption are all prevailing in the Mexican society. As they continue to grow so has the relationship between Mexico and other countries has been horribly affected. The border country, the United States receives about 90% of cocaine from South America through Mexico. Mexico provides the United States with the largest supply of marijuana and is the second largest source for heroin.
It is believed that people commit crimes because of the effects of drugs. This counts for purchasing and/or selling drugs. We see from research that there are theories which explain the effects of drug usage on crime. I studied the chapter on explaining drug crime with the Criminological Theory. From this, we see that the criminological theory examines crime, criminals, and the environment in an effort to explain criminal behavior.
According to the federal bureau of investigation, violent crimes count four categories of crime as violent crimes: murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assaults. Theses do not look at exactly the same crimes (Doris J. James, 2004). Crime in New York City has been concerned of residents since the 20th century. Organized crime has long been associated with the New York City. 20th century saw a rise in the mafia gangs of five families mainly in the city including black spades and supreme teams.
They smuggle it because drugs are a huge demand in the United States and they will obtain more money. Aside from drugs they are also violent, and participate in gang activity to also have power with their fortune. Other syndicates and cartels are the Italians, and the Columbians. These three are responsible for most drugs in the United States other than methamphetamines. Nowadays Missouri is known as the drug capital of the
One factor contributing to the continuous growth of substance abusers in the prison population is drug misuse and addiction. The majority of inmates incarcerated have used illegal drugs on a regular basis (at least once a week for a period of one month) and have been incarcerated for selling or possessing drugs; driving under the influence of alcohol; committed crimes under the influence of drugs or alcohol; committed their crimes to get money for drugs; have a history of substance abuse; or share a combination of these characteristics (CASAColumbia, 1998). Another factor is the war on drugs and mandatory minimum sentences. In an attempt to reduce drug abuse and drug dealing, the U.S. has pursued punitive drug control policies to threaten arrest and incarceration. Mandatory minimums at the state and federal levels lead to individuals being sent to prison for possession of relatively small amounts of illegal substances (Taylor, Hallam & Allen, 2009).
Due to this, the number of pharmacists in the state of New York more than tripled during the Prohibition era. For people unable to get a hold of medicinal whiskey and such, there were illegal ways to drink during Prohibition. Organized crime began to flourish in large cities where crime bosses, such as Al Capone, had noticed the incredibly high demand for alcohol and the extremely limited access for the average citizen. This presented lucrative opportunities for gangsters to take over the import, manufacture, and distribution of liquor. Al Capone, and many other criminal groups during this time, were able to build their criminal empires mainly on profits from illegal
Test for California’s pot economy (Article 08827729). Retrieved from KU library: http://web.ebscohost.com.kaplan.uah.edu/ehost/detail?vid=3&hid=119&sid=71012fd6-b5db-4aa5-ac1f-844652e8df3d%40sessionmgr111&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=aph&AN=43433489#db=aph&AN=43433489 Wood, D. B. (2009, November 22). Medical marijuana gains momentum -- 13 states and counting. (web site 45635198).
The Gulf Cartel The Gulf Cartel is an organized crime unit that operates out of Mexico, primarily distributing drugs throughout the United States. The Gulf Cartel has several rivals, with the Sinaloa Cartel at the head of the pack. This particular type of organized crime unit (Mexican drug cartels) began making an impact in the early ‘80s and has grown stronger and more violent over the years. The structures of the many drug cartels have been referred to as being run like a “business,” but with violent consequences and the Gulf Cartel is no exception. The increase in power within the drug cartels makes the future of organized crime seem bleak regarding society, but positive for the OC units themselves.
Lastly, what are some similarities among various criminal organizations? Explain. Organized crime threatens many areas of the United States including the economy and national security (Finklea, 2009). Organized crime is when a group of people come together in a formalized structure to carry out criminal activities to obtain profit and gain social influence. Many times the money that is made by these groups comes with the group members using force, coercion, and intimidation.