1,721,134 research outputs found
Measuring the Presence of the Mafias in Italy
No full textDespite the relevance of the mafias for the Italian society, official and academic attempts to measure the presence of the mafias in the country are scarce. This loophole may affect the quality of research and policies against the mafias. This chapter discusses the measurement and the mapping of different types of mafias developed by Transcrime for the Italian Ministry of Interior. It presents the mafia index, which measures the presence of the mafias at the municipal level for the period 2000–2011. Further, it analyses the presence of five main types of mafias (Cosa Nostra, Camorra, ‘Ndrangheta, Apulian organised crime and other mafias). Finally, it discusses implications for research and policy in Italy and other countries
A new method for estimating the illicit cigarette market at the subnational level and its application to Italy
Full text linkThis study provides a methodology with which to estimate the volumes and revenues of the illicit cigarette market at the subnational level. It applies the methodology to Italy for a 4-year period (2009–2012), enabling assessment of the prevalence of the illicit trade across years and regions. Notwithstanding the alleged importance of mafias, the results provide a more complex picture of the Italian illicit tobacco market.
The maximum total revenues from the illicit trade in tobacco products (ITTP) increased from €0.5 bn in 2009 to€1.2 bn in 2012. The prevalence of illicit cigarettes varies significantly across regions, because of the proximity to countries with cheaper cigarettes and the possible occurrence of other crime opportunities. Understanding of these factors is crucial for the development of appropriate policies against the ITTP.
The methodology may be applicable to all other EU countries, providing detailed, yearly estimates of the illicit market at the subnational level
Mythical numbers and the proceeds of organised crime: estimating mafia proceeds in Italy
Full text linkOrganised crime is a field vulnerable to mythical numbers, i.e. exaggerated estimates lacking empirical support, but acquiring acceptance through repetition. The figures on mafia proceeds in Italy are a striking example of this problem. This study proposes an estimation of mafia proceeds in Italy from nine criminal activities (sexual exploitation of women, illicit firearms trafficking, drug trafficking, counterfeiting, the illicit cigarette trade, illicit gambling, illicit waste disposal, loan sharking, and extortion racketeering) by region and type of mafia (Cosa Nostra, Camorra,‘Ndrangheta, Apulian
mafias, and other mafias). The results estimate yearly mafia proceeds at approximately €10.7 bn (0.7% of the Italian GDP), discussing the impact on the regional and national economies and the differences among the types of mafias as to their geographical sources of revenue
Introduction
No full textIn this chapter we introduce this edited volume on recruitment to organized crime and terrorism. The volume presents key findings from the Proton project. As detailed in this introduction, the papers included add substantive and significant knowledge to our understanding of these questions focusing on the economic, social, and psychological factors that increase the likelihood of recruitment. We first briefly review the existing literature on recruitment to terrorism and organized crime, identifying key gaps in the literature. We then turn to the specific contributions in the volume and summarize how they have added to the knowledge base in this area. Finally, we revisit the question of similarities and differences between factors influencing recruitment based on the papers in the volume, and try to draw broader conclusions about how this knowledge can inform societal responses to the problem of recruitment
Counterfeiting, illegal fiearms, gambling and waste management: an exploratory estimation of four criminal markets
No full textThis article focuses on four different criminal markets: counterfeiting, illegal firearms trafficking, gambling and waste management. Despite recurrent allegations that these markets have a high mafia presence, there is a lack of reliable estimates of their sizes and the revenues that they generate. Figures in reports and media vary significantly, and the methods used to obtain them are often obscure. This study develops four different estimation methodologies with which to estimate the four criminal markets in Italy at the national and regional levels. Considering that these are the first attempts to estimate these markets, the aim of the article is to stimulate debate on how to improve measurement of the crime proceeds from these criminal markets
Tom Obokata: Transnational Organized Crime in International Criminal Law: Hart, Oxford and Portland, 2010, xxxi, 246 p
No full textThe structure of drug trafficking mafias: the ‘Ndrangheta and cocaine
Full text linkThe paper analyses the social organization of two drug trafficking
mafia groups. The groups belonged to the'Ndrangheta, a mafia from Calabria, a
Southern Italian region. Based on judicial sources, multiple linked analyses examine
the tasks, statuses and social network structures of the two groups. The analyses
showed that the formal hierarchy of the mafias does not play a relevant role in the
organization of drug trafficking. At the same time, the two groups exhibited a
particular organizational structure, with a clear division of tasks and signals of status
differentiation among the members. Remarkably, the analyses highlighted the strate-gic positioning of the criminal leaders. The most prominent participants (high-status
individuals) were not those most involved in criminal activities (i.e. the most central
in the network). This positioning strategy allowed minimizing the risks and ensuring
effective management of smuggling operations. Criminal leaders were able to control
the activities thanks to the specific cultural, family, kinship and ritual ties characterizing the mafias. This specific organizational structure may explain the strong
resilience of mafias to law enforcement action. Implications for both research and
law enforcement are discusse
A definition that does not work: The impact of the EU Framework Decision on the Fight against Organized Crime
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