Organized Crime Earns $870 Billion Annually, UNODC Warns

UNITED NATIONS – “Transnational Organized Crime: Let’s put them out of business,” is the new campaign by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) aimed at raising global awareness of the size and cost of this illicit network.Organized crime has an estimated profit of $870 billion a year. 1.5 per cent of global gross domestic product (GPD.) 7 per cent of the world’s exports of merchandise.  “Transnational organized crime reaches into every region, and every country across the world. Stopping this transnational threat represents one of the international community’s greatest global challenges”, said UNODC Executive Director, Yury Fedotov, in a statement released here.

The campaign materials consist of a set of posters, online banners, fact sheets and videos all available at the Transnational Organized Crime website. UNODC points out four key aspects to combat transnational organized crime.

First of all, coordination at a international level is critical to identify, investigate and prosecute the people responsible. Secondly,  education plays an important role in raising awareness among civilians. Thirdly, there is a need of better intelligence and technology to fight against this criminal network. Finally, assistance to developing countries to help counter these dangers.

The campaign shows that transnational organized crime is a worldwide problem whose effects are felt locally. Organized crime leads to corruption, extortion, racketeering and violence and it destabilizes the regions where it operates.

Organized crime has different variants:  Drug trafficking is the most profitable, with an estimated annual value of $320 billion according to the World Drug Report 2011.

Human trafficking is also lucrative, the International Labour Organization (ILO) estimated in 2005 its profits on $32 billion per year.  And illicit trade of firearms generates from $170 million to $320 million annually.

Trafficking in natural resources and the illegal trade in wildlife are also types of organized crime. In south-east Asia the trafficking of timber brings around $3.5 billion annual revenues. Trafficking in  elephant ivory, rhino horn and tiger body parts from Africa and South-East Asia to Asia generates $75 million each year in profits.

The campaign tries to raise awareness at all levels and indicates that governments, businesses, civil society, international organizations and people have a role to play in combating this global threat.  “Crucial to our success is our ability to raise public awareness and generate understanding among key decision and policy makers,” said  Fedotov. (IPS Correspondents: July 16 2012)