“The activities of transnational organized crime take many forms, but the ramifications are the same: weakened governance, corruption and lawlessness, open violence, death and destruction”: UN Secretary-General António Guterres
From the illicit drug trade and wildlife crime to migrant smuggling and online scams, trafficking and more, transnational organized crime can be found in all corners of the globe.
Transnational organized crime threatens lives. Whether it is victims of human trafficking, people killed by violent gangs, individuals consuming falsified medicines or others falling prey to criminal groups, organized crime puts our safety and rights at risk.
Transnational organized crime jeopardizes peace and security by fuelling conflicts and weakening State institutions and the rule of law.
It endangers livelihoods. Hard-earned income may be siphoned away by fraud, extortion or racketeering. Crimes that affect the environment and trafficking in cultural property destroy irreplaceable natural resources and heritage, decreasing tourist revenues and other forms of income generation.
Transnational organized crime undermines the economy as well. Tax evasion, money laundering and illicit financial flows obstruct economic development.
Improving detection of victims of online child exploitation or trafficking in persons. Supporting operations seizing thousands of weapons and ammunition. Facilitating the repatriation of trafficked wildlife. Helping to draft new laws to effectively deter migrant smugglers.
These are all examples of how UNODC supports governments and criminal justice networks to prevent, investigate and prosecute transnational organized crime and support victims.
UNODC serves as the Secretariat to the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), the only global, legally binding instrument through which governments commit to act and cooperate against organized crime.
