Q. Discuss the types of organised crimes. Describe the linkages between terrorists and organised crime that exist at the national and transnational levels.
Question from UPSC Mains 2022 GS3 Paper
Model Answer:
Organized Crime:
Organized crime and terrorism pose significant threats to internal security, both individually and through their interconnections. Understanding these phenomena and their linkages is crucial for developing effective counter-strategies.
Types of Organized Crime:
1. Drug trafficking: Illicit production, distribution, and sale of narcotics.
2. Human trafficking: Exploitation of individuals for forced labor or sexual purposes.
3. Arms smuggling: Illegal trade of weapons across borders.
4. Cybercrime: Large-scale fraud, data theft, and ransomware attacks.
5. Money laundering: Concealing origins of illegally obtained money.
6. Extortion and protection rackets: Demanding money through force or threats.
7. Counterfeiting: Production and distribution of fake currency or goods.
Linkages between Terrorism and Organized Crime:
National Level:
1. Financing: Terrorist groups often engage in organized criminal activities to fund their operations. For instance, some militant groups in India’s Northeast have been involved in drug trafficking.
2. Logistics: Criminal networks provide terrorists with transportation, safe houses, and false documentation.
3. Recruitment: Both entities may recruit from the same pool of disenfranchised youth, especially in conflict-prone areas.
4. Weapons procurement: Terrorists acquire arms through established smuggling networks.
Transnational Level:
1. Global networks: International criminal syndicates facilitate the movement of terrorists, weapons, and finances across borders.
2. Shared routes: Drug trafficking routes are often used for terrorist movement, as seen in the “Golden Crescent” region of Afghanistan-Pakistan-Iran.
3. Money laundering: International financial systems are exploited to move and legitimize funds for both criminal and terrorist activities.
4. Cybercrime: Terrorists leverage the expertise of cybercriminals for propaganda, recruitment, and attacks on critical infrastructure.
5. State sponsorship: Some nations use criminal networks as proxies to support terrorist groups in other countries.
Challenges:
1. Blurred lines: The convergence of organized crime and terrorism makes it difficult to distinguish and combat them separately.
2. Jurisdictional issues: Transnational nature of these activities complicates law enforcement efforts.
3. Technological advancements: Criminals and terrorists adapt quickly to new technologies, often outpacing security agencies.
4. Corruption: Criminal-terrorist nexus often compromises law enforcement and political systems.
Policy Responses and Effectiveness:
1. Multi-agency coordination: India has established bodies like the Multi-Agency Centre (MAC) for intelligence sharing, but implementation remains a challenge.
2. International cooperation: Initiatives like the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime have improved global coordination, but gaps remain.
3. Financial intelligence: Strengthening of institutions like the Financial Intelligence Unit-India has helped track suspicious transactions, but sophisticated money laundering techniques persist.
4. Capacity building: Training programs for law enforcement agencies have improved, but keeping pace with evolving threats remains difficult.
Conclusion:
The intricate linkages between organized crime and terrorism present a complex challenge to internal security. Addressing this nexus requires a multi-faceted approach involving improved intelligence, international cooperation, and adaptive policies to stay ahead of evolving threats.