DOJ's New Law Enforcement Strategy Responds to Globalization of Organized Crime

Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey  yesterday announced a new strategy in the fight against international organized crime that will address this growing threat to U.S. security and stability. The Law Enforcement Strategy to Combat International Organized Crime (the strategy) will address the demand for a strategic, targeted and concerted U.S. response to combat the identified threats.

U.S. federal law enforcement agencies, in an unprecedented cooperative effort on this issue, will share international organized crime information and intelligence, collectively identify and prioritize the most significant threats and then put the full force of U.S. law enforcement's expertise and resources toward mitigating those threats. In addition, U.S. law enforcement will increase cooperation with international partners to bring international criminals to justice, in the United States and abroad.

The strategy specifically reacts to the globalization of legal and illegal business, advances in technology, particularly the Internet, and the evolution of symbiotic relationships between criminals, public officials and business leaders that have combined to create a new, less restrictive environment within which international organized criminals can operate. Without the necessity of a physical presence, U.S. law enforcement must combat international organized criminals that target the relative wealth of the people and institutions in the United States while remaining outside the country.

"International organized criminals have broadened the scope and depth of their illegal activities, reaching into a variety of sectors to sustain their inherent quest for money and power. These modern-day criminals threaten our physical, economic and national security, indeed, in many circumstances without even setting foot inside U.S. borders," said Assistant Attorney Alice S. Fisher. "With this strategy, international organized criminals will be targeted and prosecuted in the same determined and concerted manner in which they pursue their illegal activities."

Laid out in the strategy is a comprehensive and detailed plan that will enable the Department and nine federal law enforcement agencies to gather their collective resources to most effectively combat the threat of international organized crime. Ultimately, the strategy aims to create consensus among domestic law enforcement in identifying the most significant priority targets and then unified and concerted action among domestic and international law enforcement in significantly disrupting and dismantling those targets. This unprecedented coordination will include utilizing all available U.S. Government programs and capabilities, including existing economic, consular and other non-law enforcement means.

In addition, as a response to international organized criminals' ability to operate unconstrained by national borders and geographic law enforcement jurisdictions, the strategy aims to ensure criminal laws and operating procedures reflect the modern realities and needs of international crime fighting. Similarly vital is the need to work in collaboration with public and private institutions that also face victimization by international organized criminals and therefore have been forced to act to minimize the impact on their businesses.

Prior to the strategy's development, the Department of Justice and law enforcement partners conducted a comprehensive assessment of international organized crime. The IOC Threat Assessment lays out the threat international organized crime poses to U.S. national security, the stability of the U.S. economy and the integrity of government institutions, infrastructure and systems in the United States. The assessment is based on the best available information known to the U.S. Government through the combined efforts of the law enforcement, intelligence and interagency communities.

Specifically, the IOC Threat Assessment identifies and defines eight strategic threats:

• International organized criminals have penetrated the energy market and other strategic sectors of the U.S. and world economy. As U.S. energy needs continue to grow, so too could the power of those who control energy resources.
• International organized criminals provide logistical and other support to terrorists, foreign intelligence