Strategy to Combat Transnational Organized Crime: Addressing Converging Threats to National Security

Transnational organized crime refers to those self-perpetuating associations of individuals who operate transnationally for the purpose of obtaining power, influence, monetary and/or commercial gains, wholly or in part by illegal means, while protecting their activities through a pattern of corruption and/ or violence, or while protecting their illegal activities through a transnational organizational structure and the exploitation of transnational commerce or communication mechanisms. There is no single structure under which transnational
organized criminals operate; they vary from hierarchies to clans, networks, and cells, and may evolve to other structures.

In January 2010, the United States Government completed a comprehensive review of international organized crime—the first on this topic since 1995. Based on the review and subsequent reporting, the Administration has concluded that, in the intervening years, international—or transnational—organized crime has expanded dramatically in size, scope, and influence and that it poses a significant threat to national and international security. In light of the review’s findings, we have adopted the term “transnational organized crime” (TOC) to describe the threats addressed by this Strategy. While the term “international organized crime” has been commonly used in the past, “transnational organized crime” more accurately describes the converging threats we face today. As emphasized in the National Security Strategy: “…these threats cross borders and undermine the stability of nations, subverting government institutions through corruption and harming citizens worldwide.”