Islamic State is the richest terrorist group in the world, with an estimated annual turnover of between $2 billion and $3 billion. The groups control over substantial territory allows it to generate considerable amounts of money from organised crime, including the smuggling of oil and antiquities and taxing those smuggling drugs and people, as well the through levying taxes and fines on the populations of the areas it controls.
Tag: transnational organised crime
Transnational organised crime special briefing: People smuggling and the Syrian refugee crisis
Approximately 12 million Syrians have fled their homes as a result of the civil war in their country. Nearly eight million are internally displaced within Syria, and more than four million have sought refuge in nearby countries. Many are making the perilous journey to Europe in search of a better life, and over 500,000 Syrians have applied for asylum in EU countries. Not all who attempt the journey to Europe survive it. There were 4,800 known drownings of people attempting to cross the Mediterranean between October 2013 and April 2015 alone. These tragedies are being facilitated by the organised crime groups that peddle their lucrative trade in smuggling human beings.
Transnational organised crime monthly briefing, July 2015: Attack on tourists in Port El Kantaoui highlights threat of terrorism and organised crime in Tunisia
Monthly intelligence briefing on transnational organised crime from Open Briefing. This month: the attack on tourists in Port El Kantaoui highlights threat of terrorism and organised crime in Tunisia; organised environmental crime continues to threaten the Amazon region; people smuggling and human trafficking through Bulgaria and Romania is likely to increase; and more.
Transnational organised crime monthly briefing, June 2015: Australian Crime Commission highlights links between terrorism and organised crime
Monthly intelligence briefing on transnational organised crime from Open Briefing. This month: the Australian Crime Commission has highlighted the links between terrorism and organised crime; the World Health Organisation has called for an end to the global illicit tobacco trade; the Criminal Justice Inspectorate of Northern Ireland has reported on how organised crime groups are becoming increasingly involved with ‘waste crime’; and more.
Transnational organised crime monthly briefing, May 2015: Fighters from Caribbean travelling to fight with extremists in Syria and Iraq
Monthly intelligence briefing on transnational organised crime from Open Briefing. This month: fighters from the Caribbean region are travelling to fight with extremists in Syria and Iraq; how law enforcement agencies must develop an understanding of the business structures of organised criminal gangs if such organisations are to be effectively undermined; political corruption and money laundering in Nigeria; and more.
Transnational organised crime monthly briefing, April 2015: Australian government launches task force to combat crystal meth epidemic dubbed country’s ‘worst-ever drug crisis’
Monthly intelligence briefing on transnational organised crime from Dr Mary Young. This month includes the task force the Australian government has launched to combat the crystal meth epidemic in the country, how El Salvador is struggling to cope with the collapse of the truce between the MS-13 and Calle 18 gangs, discussion of transnational organised crime by leaders at the US-CARICOM summit in Jamaica, and more.
Transnational organised crime monthly briefing, March 2015: Spotlight on Polar regions
Monthly intelligence briefing on transnational organised crime from Dr Mary Young. This month's spotlight on Polar regions highlights how transnational organised crime gangs are exploiting the Arctic's vast uninhabited areas and lack of dedicated police officers and criminal intelligence officers for human, drug and weapons trafficking and other illegal activities. It also discusses the US Coast Guard's evolving efforts to tackle such crimes in the Arctic.
Transnational organised crime monthly briefing, February 2015: Spotlight on Asia and Pacific
Monthly intelligence briefing on transnational organised crime from Dr Mary Young. This month's spotlight on Asia and the Pacific includes details of efforts to tackle transnational organised crime gangs, which are to blame for the increase in environmental crime in Asia.