Organised crime represents significant and persistent risks to Australian governments, businesses and individuals. Domestic and international collaboration is improving, but there are legislative and capability gaps.
Transnational organised crime has been estimated to generate US$870 billion each year globally. Illicit drugs account for around half of the total, with significant funds also derived from trafficking in persons, firearms, natural resources and wildlife, people smuggling, counterfeit goods and cybercrime. Only a small portion of these funds—estimated at around 0.2%—are recovered.

Organized crime is considered to be a changing and flexible phenomenon. Many of the benefits of globalization such as easier and faster communication, movement of finances and international travel, have also created opportunities for transnational organized criminal groups to flourish, diversify and expand their activities.

This report describes how Australia deals with the problem of organised crime. Most law enforcement activity is focused at the national (federal) level, but each of the six states and two principal territories also have jurisdiction to deal with crime at a local level, even when it involves some cross-border or organised component.

The United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, adopted by General Assembly resolution 55/25 of 15 November 2000, is the main international instrument in the fight against transnational organized crime.

The article reports on the nature and growth of the transnational organised crime. It discusses the issues about the direct strategic threats that transnational organised crime possess such as the development of the two profitable trans-Pacific drug supply chains that are used to fake goods, ruin businesses, and allow illegal immigrants in the Pacific states.

The article discusses the establishment of international law pertaining to how transnational criminals such as traffickers, terrorists, and organised criminals are dealt by the government.

Latin American and European governments signed the Lima Declaration to combat a crime worth more than US$10 billion annually. Wildlife trafficking This type of trafficking is the fourth most common in the world after drugs, weapons and people. The illegal wildlife trade is increasing all across Latin America.

The discovery of 39 bodies near London has raised concerns over the risks that smugglers force upon desperate people.

The project aims to raise awareness of forced marriage in the Australian community and where victims can get help, while bringing together government, advocacy and advice services, and corporate supporters who are united in the aim of eliminating all forms of human trafficking and modern slavery.

Italian police have seized a large cache of deadly weapons, including an air-to-air missile, in raids on neo-Nazi sympathisers.

Little attention is paid to Ecuador. The murder rate is low, and there are no drug cartels like those that have dominated the criminal landscape in Mexico and Colombia. Yet Ecuador is one of the world’s cocaine superhighways. This is how the international drug trade likes it. Low key, low profile.