Law enforcement officials around the world have reported a significant increase
in the range and scope of international criminal activity since the early 1990s.
The level and severity of this activity and the accompanying growth in the power
and influence of international criminal organizations have raised concerns among
governments all over the world--particularly in Western democracies--about the
threat criminals pose to governability and stability in many countries and to
the global economy. International criminal networks have been quick to take
advantage of the opportunities resulting from the revolutionary changes in world
politics, business, technology, and communications that have strengthened democracy
and free markets, brought the world's nations closer together, and given the
United States unprecedented security and prosperity:
- Post-Cold War landscape. The end of the Cold War resulted
in the breakdown of political and economic barriers not only in Europe but
also around the world. This change opened the way for substantially increased
trade, movement of people, and capital flows between democracies and free
market countries and the formerly closed societies and markets that had been
controlled by Soviet power. The end of the Cold War also brought with it an
end to superpower rivalry in other regions of the world, encouraging movement
toward peace and more open borders. These developments have allowed international
criminals to expand their networks and increase their cooperation in illicit
activities and financial transactions.
- Economic and trade liberalization. Increasing economic interdependence
has both promoted and benefited from reforms in many countries opening or
liberalizing state-controlled economies with the intention of boosting trade
and becoming more competitive in the global marketplace. Criminals have taken
advantage of transitioning and more open economies to establish front companies
and quasi-legitimate businesses that facilitate smuggling, money laundering,
financial frauds, intellectual property piracy, and other illicit ventures.
Multilateral economic agreements reducing trade barriers in North America,
Europe, Asia, and other regions of the world have substantially increased
the volume of international trade. In the United States, the volume of trade
has doubled since 1994, according to the US Customs Service, and will double
again by 2005. Criminal groups have taken advantage of the high volume of
legitimate trade to smuggle drugs, arms, and other contraband across national
boundaries.
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