Kritin asked this question on 3/12/2000:
I'm an grade 13 student doing a project in organized crime in Canada. If you can provide me with any information about organized crime or organized crime groups, such as the mafia, or biker gangs and how/ why they operate, it will be greatly appreciated.
d_ottr gave this response on 3/13/2000:
Kritin,
Very good question. The bottom line of operation for any organized crime group is money. For centuries, organized crime groups have operated for that very reason, and have done well to amass large fortunes. By whatever means they choose to achieve this end, whether it is gambling, prostitution, drugs, stolen vehicles (chop shops), organized crime is just that- a network of contacts finding niches in which to operate. For example: a biker gang (we'll call them the Pagans, for discussion sake) has chapters, or clubs, in a certain region of the United States, and we'll use the Atlantic region for this purpose. The Pagans of the Lancaster County, Pennsylvania area have 100 pounds of methamphetamine ( a controlled substance also known as speed or by many other street names) to be sold. Now how do they accomplish this task? 100 pounds is a LOT of dope, no matter what kind it is, but "meth" is sold in especially small quantities, kind of like heroin. So, to push this massive quantity of dope the consign it, or "loan" it, to other chapters. They may also trade it for some other illegal commodity (no, this does not work for prostitution!) like stolen guns, stolen auto or motorcycle parts, etc. They may also have a net work of "civilians," people not in the gang, to sell as well. In many cities the Mafia has enlisted the aid of minority gangs such as the Bloods, Crips, Latin Kings, etc. to sell their dope. The MAfia, with richer bankrolls, buys the dope, and contracts it out to these gangs, who are in closer contact with the clientele so to speak, to sell for them. A pretty good relationship for both (what did I just say?!) Back to the Pagans..... Now, how do these gangs transport stuff? In some cases, these bad guys have regular jobs that are fronts for their illegal activity. For example, I know of one biker who owns a bread business with contracts all over PA. His trucks run on a daily basis throughout the state. So, Biker A in Pittsburgh needs to get a pound of cocaine, a stolen Harley, or a pair of fenders off a Lexus to Biker B in Philadelphia. He contacts Biker C, owner of this bread company, who for a small piece of the action arranges transportation from Pittsburgh to Philly for these other two. Now who would EVER suspect a bread truck of having dope or other illegal stuff in it? AS i said, networking is the key, no matter if it is bikers, mafia, street gangs, or what. Even in prisons, networking is necessary. I hope you are getting the picture here.
Some places where information might be found include the FBI site on the net, the US treasury Department (they handle the IRS, among other bureaus), just to name a couple. Recently there was a case where an informant who had been given immunity for his testimony in the John Gotti Mob trial was found to be involved in a meth ring. He lost his witness protection as a result, and will probably get whacked (killed off) now that he has surfaced. Use Sammy Gravanno as a search, and see what comes up. Other key words might be Gambino, Gotti, Hell's Angels (they have websites for several chapters!) who have a large contigent in Canada, Street Gangs, Mafia, etc.
Hope this is helpful. If yopu need any more information, let me know.
Cpl. Don OTT PA State Police Troop E, Meadville dottrz@alltel.net dott@psp.state.pa.us
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