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What is transnational organized crime?

What are the different types of transnational organized crime?

Drug trafficking

In recent years, global drug use has increased, making it one of the most lucrative businesses for transnational organized crime groups.

The latest estimates that almost 300 million people used drugs in 2021, including cocaine, methamphetamine and opium¡ªan increase of more than 20 per cent over the previous decade. The number of people suffering from drug use disorders soared to nearly 40 million, a 45 per cent increase over ten years.

Today, illicit drug markets continue to expand their reach, fueled by the growing cocaine supply, drug sales on social media platforms, and the dangerous spread of synthetic drugs. Synthetic drugs are cheap and easy to manufacture anywhere in the world, and in the case of fentanyl, for example, deadly even in the smallest doses.

The digital age has revolutionized drug trafficking. Forget back-alley deals; today's drug markets thrive online, operating through darknet marketplaces, social media platforms, and encrypted communication applications.

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Human trafficking

Human trafficking is a grave violation of human rights, a form of modern-day slavery. Traffickers prey on vulnerable populations, such as those living in poverty, experiencing conflict or displacement, or lacking social support networks.

Behind the staggering profits of human trafficking lies the immense suffering of millions of victims. The latest shows that about 50,000 cases in over 140 countries were reported to UNODC in 2020. Around 60 per cent of all trafficking victims and over 90 per cent of those trafficked for sexual exploitation were women and girls.

Child trafficking has reached a crisis point. In the last 15 years, the proportion of children among victims has tripled. While girls are overwhelmingly subjected to sexual exploitation, boys are increasingly forced into labour.

The estimates that forced labour generates $236 billion in illegal profits annually, with each individual exploited for an average of nearly $10,000. These figures underscore the human cost of this brutal trade.

Traffickers now operate in the digital world, using technology to entrap victims at every step. Children are particularly vulnerable, often targeted on social media platforms where they believe they are safe.

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Smuggling of migrants

The migrant smuggling trade, driven by the movement of people across international borders for financial gain, is a lucrative criminal enterprise. In 2016, it was estimated that at least 2.5 million migrants were smuggled, generating profits of up to $5.7 billion for smugglers.

A identified 30 major smuggling routes worldwide, highlighting the vast scope of this illicit activity. The demand for smuggling services is particularly pronounced among refugees fleeing conflict or persecution and desperate to reach safety.

Although the majority of smuggled migrants are young men, the vulnerability of unaccompanied and separated children is of particular concern, as they are at increased risk of exploitation and abuse.

The perils of migrant smuggling are numerous. The reports thousands of deaths annually, with many migrants perishing due to drowning, accidents, harsh terrain, and extreme weather.

Furthermore, systematic killings and other horrific crimes have been documented along smuggling routes, including violence, rape, theft, kidnapping, extortion, and human trafficking.

Money laundering

Money laundering¡ªthe process of concealing the origins of illegally obtained money, turning ¡°dirty money¡± into ¡°clean money¡±¡ªis a global scourge that fuels corruption, undermines financial institutions, and facilitates a wide range of criminal activities.

According to a , around $1.6 trillion or 2.7 per cent of the global GDP are estimated to be laundered yearly, distorting economies, hindering development, and eroding trust in the financial system. However, pinpointing the exact amount laundered remains a challenge.

Criminals employ a variety of techniques to launder money, including smurfing, using shell companies and offshore accounts, and investing in high-value assets like real estate and art. The transnational nature of money laundering allows criminals to exploit gaps in international cooperation and differing regulatory frameworks to move their illicit proceeds across borders.

The rise of digital currencies, such as cryptocurrencies, online payment platforms, and complex financial instruments, has created new challenges for law enforcement agencies struggling to keep pace with these evolving methods.

Illicit trading in firearms

The growing illicit trade in firearms is fueling conflicts and contributing to a dramatic increase in criminal activity in many parts of the world.

In 2021 alone, were killed by small arms (firearms intended for individual use), amounting to 45 per cent of all violent deaths¡ªthat's more than 700 people a day, or one person dying every two minutes.

A showed that of the more than 850 million civilian?held firearms in the world in 2017, only 12 per cent were registered.

Trafficking and misuse of firearms are intrinsically linked to criminal organizations and terrorist groups. The says the illicit trade can destabilize entire regions, contribute to and enable human rights abuses, and lead to violations of arms embargoes.

Organized crime groups can to armed groups and governments facing sanctions. Both organized crime groups and non-State armed groups may directly engage in firearms trafficking to secure their own arms and generate revenue, says UNODC.

Crimes that affect the environment

The trafficking of wildlife and natural resources hampers conservation efforts, damages ecosystems, and undermines our planet¡¯s capacity to mitigate climate change.

According to the latest , from 2015 to 2021, seizures documented the illegal trade of 13 million plants and animals in 162 countries and territories, affecting around 4,000 species. The majority of these species are listed in the .

In 2016, the UN Environment Programme and INTERPOL estimated that such environmental crimes generate profits between $91 billion and $259 billion annually, making it the fourth-largest transnational criminal activity after drugs, counterfeits, and human trafficking.

The trafficked plants and animals are used in a variety of ways¡ªfor food, medicine, as exotic pets, and ¡°luxury¡± goods. Actual wildlife trafficking levels are far greater than the recorded seizures.

Moreover, illegal mining, including that of minerals and metals, is increasingly conducted by organized criminal groups. Beyond the environmental damage, these operations fuel corruption and fund criminal networks. The profits often flow into the hands of armed groups, perpetuating cycles of violence and conflict.

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Cybercrime

The digital age has ushered in unprecedented connectivity, with over 60 per cent of the world¡¯s population now online. However, this interconnectedness has also brought with it a surge in cybercrime, impacting individuals, institutions, and countries globally.

Cybercrime encompasses , from online fraud and data theft to the exploitation of children. Perpetrators range from individual criminals to organized networks, all exploiting the anonymity and accessibility of the digital world.

The methods used are constantly evolving, becoming more sophisticated and harder to detect. Malware is proliferating. AI-enabled cyber operations are amplifying the threat, while the looming potential of quantum computing to break encryption poses a significant risk to cybersecurity infrastructure.

One alarming trend is the rise of ransomware attacks, which cripple vital systems and hold data hostage. In 2023 alone, ransomware payments reached an estimated US$1.1 billion. These attacks disrupt essential services like and banking, and erode public trust and safety.

Transnational organized crime and conflict

The relationship between transnational organized crime and conflict is a vicious cycle. Crime fuels conflict, and conflict creates an environment where crime thrives. This destabilizing interplay undermines governments, erodes the rule of law, and weakens law enforcement, making conflict resolution even more challenging.

Conflict zones become fertile ground for criminal activity, as seen in the recent shift of methamphetamine and captagon production to conflict-ridden Syria and Myanmar. Environmental crimes also proliferate in these settings, where state control is weak and armed groups often exploit natural resources to fuel the conflict.

Furthermore, conflict provides fertile ground for human trafficking. Armed groups exploit vulnerable populations for forced recruitment, sexual exploitation, and forced labour. They may traffic people to enhance their military capacity, including through the forcible recruitment of child soldiers. They may also traffic people to impose fear in the territories they control or for personal purposes such as sexual exploitation, buying brides, or forcing people into domestic labour. In 2020, approximately 12 per cent of detected trafficking victims came from conflict-affected countries.

This convergence of crime and conflict poses a significant threat to peace, security, and human rights, demanding a comprehensive approach that addresses both the root causes of conflict and the criminal networks that exploit them.

Transnational organized crime and terrorism

Terrorists can benefit from organized crime as a significant source of financing and logistical support for their activities. As highlighted in the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, terrorist groups exploit criminal activities such as arms trafficking, human trafficking, drug trafficking, and the illicit trade in natural resources to fund their operations and sustain their networks.

The has emphasized the need for Member States to address this convergence, adopting resolutions that call for enhanced cooperation to disrupt illicit financial flows, strengthen border controls, and combat the underlying conditions that allow both terrorism and organized crime to flourish¡ªsuch as conflict, instability, corruption, and weak governance.

The UNODC plays a crucial role in supporting Member States in combating this nexus. It provides technical assistance to strengthen criminal justice systems, enhance border controls, and disrupt illicit financial flows. The UNODC also facilitates international cooperation and information sharing to combat the evolving strategies of terrorist and criminal organizations.

Furthermore, the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact, a coordination framework, emphasizes the importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism, including poverty, inequality, and lack of opportunity, which organized crime also exploits.

Convention against Transnational Organized Crime

In a world grappling with the growing threat of organized crime, the (UNTOC) stands as a critical line of defence. Also known as the Palermo Convention, it is the only global, legally binding instrument through which governments commit to acting and cooperating against this crime.

Adopted by the UN General Assembly in November 2000 and entering into force in September 2003, UNTOC has been ratified by 192 states, making it one of the world¡¯s most widely accepted treaties. It has led to increased international cooperation, enabling countries to work together to investigate complex criminal networks, extradite offenders, and recover illicit assets.

Transnational organized crime groups are constantly evolving, exploiting new technologies and opportunities. UNTOC was designed with this in mind, providing a flexible framework that can be applied to both existing and emerging crimes. This adaptability allows the Convention to address a wide range of criminal activities, from drug trafficking and human smuggling to cybercrime and the illicit trade in wildlife.

UNTOC is further strengthened by three protocols that focus on specific areas of concern: trafficking in persons, smuggling of migrants, and the illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms. These protocols have been instrumental in helping countries develop comprehensive legal frameworks and institutions to combat these crimes.

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