Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime

⛓️💥 Our aim is to disrupt criminal activity and illicit markets. 📚 Our research is used by governments, business, organizations and many others trying to make communities safer. 🌐 Our presence worldwide is extended and growing. There is a lot of work to be done. But, together, we can build a safer future for all 🤝

📩 Read our latest newsletter, "Analysing Organized Crime," with highlights from GI-TOC analysis and activities in February. 🗓️ This month's edition explores the connections between crime and conflict in Afghanistan, Colombia, Haiti, Ukraine, and Central and West Africa, as well as tensions between Canada and the U.S. It also brings attention to lesser-known threats, such as the synthetic drug ‘kush’ in Sierra Leone and the susceptibility of Pacific island nations to organized crime. Read more ⤵️

On World Wildlife Day, we must acknowledge that illicit online trade of species is booming—and it’s costing us our ecosystems. ECO-SOLVE’s latest report reveals over 1.6M succulents seized in South Africa (2019–2024) and widespread trafficking of rare orchids and cacti globally. Fragile ecosystems like the Succulent Karoo biome are being devastated, while digital platforms allow traffickers to reach global buyers with ease. What can be done? 🤖 AI tools to monitor illegal ads. 🤝 Community-based approaches to protect habitats. 🪧 Awareness campaigns to reduce demand. Read the report: https://lnkd.in/egQdfyee European Commission | Global Illicit Flows Programme | Louise Taylor #WWD2025 #WildlifeDay #WildlifeConservationFinance #EcoSolve #SouthAfrica #Wildlife

🔎 With ARTE, we traced Switzerland’s missing gold… all the way to Dubai. 💰 In Jan 2023, a secret Zurich conference promised wealth through gold. Now, hundreds of European investors are left with nothing—no money, no gold. 📺 Watch the full investigation (in French): https://lnkd.in/eu4MUxcj

📈🇪🇺 The illicit arms market in Europe is expanding. With the war in #Ukraine 🇺🇦 fueling a massive flow of weapons, what happens when the conflict ends? We gathered 7 experts to discuss the growing threat of #ArmsTrafficking—and how to stop it. Stay tuned for this series.

🇮🇹 On 11 February, Italian police carried out a sweeping operation against Cosa Nostra in Palermo, arresting over 180 members in one of the biggest crackdowns in recent years. The investigation revealed a mafia in transition: younger recruits, a shift to encrypted communications, and deepening ties with the global cocaine trade. Despite significant law enforcement efforts, Cosa Nostra is adapting, finding new ways to consolidate power and profit. The battle against organized crime in Sicily is far from over, requiring a fresh approach to counter evolving threats. 📖 Read the full story by Ruggero S.: https://lnkd.in/giCcRkVR #OrganizedCrime #CosaNostra #LawEnforcement #Sicily #Mafia

🔺Kush is not just a public health crisis—it’s an evolving criminal enterprise. Initially controlled by a few groups, its market has now fragmented, allowing new players to enter and enabling further growth in the market. This rapid expansion is linked to local synthesis of the drug, protection structures at ports and airports, and the involvement of street gangs in distribution. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for any effective policy response. Explore our latest findings with The Clingendael Institute: https://lnkd.in/e3aQWGRU Lucia Bird #OrganizedCrime #DrugPolicy #WestAfrica #Kush

🌏 The influx of foreign actors and geopolitical competition in the Pacific have created vulnerabilities that criminal networks exploit. However, organized crime is not always a security priority for many nations in the region. Our latest policy brief in the series of Organized Crime in the Pacific Islands argues for a resilience-centered approach —one that strengthens local institutions, supports the media, and empowers civil society to counter crime. 🤔 How can Pacific nations and their partners fight back? ✔️ Support investigative journalism to expose corruption ✔️ Promote transparency & data sharing to hold power to account ✔️ Build civil society’s capacity to engage communities in crime prevention 📖 Read the full policy brief by Virginia Comolli here: https://lnkd.in/gnJNg6yw #PacificIslands #OrganizedCrime #ResilienceBuilding

Our #GIResilience grantee, Yanet Castro, is leading an initiative in the coastal communities of Altata, Sinaloa, Mexico, to train 15 women and 200 children in environmental sustainability, anti-corruption, and resilience. By addressing environmental crimes and promoting sustainable practices, she is ensuring a better future for her community. Her work is a testament to the power of grassroots action and collective resilience! 👏 Let’s support her mission to protect our oceans and strengthen coastal communities. 📍 Altata, Sinaloa #CommunityEmpowerment #EnvironmentalJustice #ProtectOurOceans

🎰 Casinos offer more than entertainment—they provide an easy way to launder illicit funds. 🇲🇰 North Macedonia has become a haven for gambling operations, attracting organized crime from across the region. Criminals use casinos to turn dirty money into "legitimate" winnings, exploiting weak regulations and cash-based transactions. Despite public concern and anti-gambling movements, the state profits heavily from the industry, earning €88M in 2022. Can financial controls and stronger enforcement curb this growing problem? Learn more about the context in the region: https://buff.ly/4gloxJS #CasinoCrime #FinancialRegulation #MoneyLaundering