{
  "id": "RL32190",
  "type": "CRS Report",
  "typeId": "REPORTS",
  "number": "RL32190",
  "active": false,
  "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
  "versions": [
    {
      "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
      "id": 104213,
      "date": "2004-01-08",
      "retrieved": "2016-04-08T14:30:54.502544",
      "title": "Transnational Organized Crime: U.S. Policy, Programs, and Related Issues",
      "summary": "Transnational organized crime presents a serious threat to U.S. national security and global\nstability. \nOrganized criminal groups have benefitted from the demise of legal structures following the collapse\nof the Soviet Union and in many failed states. They have been able to expand their networks across\nnational borders. Globalism serves these groups which increasingly rely upon advanced technology\nand the global financial system to accumulate wealth from their illicit activities. These groups\nengage in a wide array of criminal activities across national borders that include the illicit drugs\ntrade, trafficking in persons, alien smuggling, and financial crimes. These transnational crimes\ndirectly threaten American communities and businesses. \n  Experts also warn of the potential opportunistic links between such criminal groups and\n terrorist\norganizations. The recent decrease in state-sponsorship and support may lead terrorist groups to\nincreasingly rely upon transnational criminals for finances, weapons, or other forms of assistance. \nSuch alliances between terrorist and criminal groups could create additional threats to American\ninterests.\n  This report presents the direct and potential threats which emerge from transnational organized\ncrime and describes the U.S. government response to combat global crime. It outlines the overall\nframework of U.S. policies formulated to combat transnational organized crime. Both the Clinton\nand Bush Administration's response to transnational crime is framed within the 1998 International\nCrime Control Strategy. Federal agencies have formulated additional national strategies related to\nspecific dimensions of transnational crime. Congress has also directed U.S. policy and programs,\nand provided law enforcement agencies with several tools to combat transnational organized crime\n  Key federal law enforcement and intelligence programs that focus broadly on transnational\ncrime are discussed. Some of these programs are designed to monitor, investigate and prosecute\ntransnational organized criminals. Other programs facilitate bilateral and multilateral law\nenforcement cooperation from foreign government institutions. Moreover, some programs seek to\nprovide law enforcement training and assistance to foreign governments. Federal agencies leading\nthe U.S. government's efforts to combat transnational organized crime include the Departments of\nDefense, Justice, Treasury, Homeland Security, and State. Finally, it examines potential\nCongressional concerns related to U.S. efforts to combat transnational crime as organized criminal\ngroups accumulate wealth and leverage affecting American interests. The report will not be updated.",
      "type": "CRS Report",
      "typeId": "REPORTS",
      "active": false,
      "formats": [
        {
          "format": "HTML",
          "encoding": "utf-8",
          "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/RL32190",
          "sha1": "a7c4b8458735d99a983c716c74ea95a69ae3c401",
          "filename": "files/20040108_RL32190_a7c4b8458735d99a983c716c74ea95a69ae3c401.html",
          "images": null
        },
        {
          "format": "PDF",
          "encoding": null,
          "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/RL32190",
          "sha1": "f9a4521e5dd387a6ab4e7122886a2aaf190896fa",
          "filename": "files/20040108_RL32190_f9a4521e5dd387a6ab4e7122886a2aaf190896fa.pdf",
          "images": null
        }
      ],
      "topics": []
    }
  ],
  "topics": [
    "European Affairs",
    "Foreign Affairs",
    "Intelligence and National Security",
    "National Defense"
  ]
}