Transnational Crime and the Developing World

XIV. Conclusion
Transnational crime is a business, and business is very good. As shown in Table X, the combined annual
value of the 11 transnational criminal markets examined in this report is estimated to be US$1.6 trillion to
$2.2 trillion. These massive revenues are the primary motivation for individuals, organized crime groups
(OCGs), terrorists, and insurgent groups to engage in these illegal activities. Transnational crime will
continue to grow until the paradigm of high profits and low risks is challenged; profits must be slashed
and risks intensified.
Table AA. The Retail Value of Transnational Crime
Transnational Crime
Estimated Annual Value (US$)
Drug Trafficking $426 billion to $652 billion
Small Arms & Light Weapons Trafficking $1.7 billion to $3.5 billion
Human Trafficking $150.2 billion
Organ Trafficking $840 million to $1.7 billion
Trafficking in Cultural Property $1.2 billion to $1.6 billion
Counterfeiting $923 billion to $1.13 trillion
Illegal Wildlife Trade $5 billion to $23 billion
IUU Fishing $15.5 billion to $36.4 billion
Illegal Logging $52 billion to $157 billion
Illegal Mining $12 billion to $48 billion
Crude Oil Theft $5.2 billion to $11.9 billion
Total
$1.6 trillion to $2.2 trillion
Dirty money begets dirty money: the revenues generated from crime not only line the pockets of
perpetrators but also finance additional criminal activities and violence. A primary illustration of this is
seen in drug trafficking organizations beginning to invest in other illegal markets, including illegal mining,
wildlife trafficking, and crude oil theft. Stopping the flow of dirty money prevents criminals from profiting,
and it combats the perpetuation of crime.
Interdiction of illegal commodities is important, but these are profit-motivated crimes—more action is
needed that focuses on the money. Law enforcement must place a much greater emphasis on following
and seizing the money in order to understand, identify, and disrupt trafficking networks.
The opacity of the global financial system—particularly anonymous shell companies and secrecy
jurisdictions—greatly enables criminals to profit from transnational organized crime by providing
anonymity and protection. The Panama Papers investigation includes numerous examples of these
connections, including ties to drug trafficking, art theft, money laundering, terrorism, corruption, robbery,
tax evasion, and fraud. 432 So long as there is a vibrant global shadow financial system, so too will
transnational crime thrive.
Authorities have not regarded some crimes, including natural resource crimes as well as trafficking
in counterfeit goods, as serious transnational organized crime. There is not an inherent high level of
violence associated with these activities, unlike drugs and arms trafficking, and they have therefore
been treated with less urgency and fewer resources. What is overlooked is the fact that the proceeds
from these crimes can provide financing to violent OCGs, terrorists, and insurgent groups, as well as
undermine the wellbeing of communities.
432
International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, “Giant Leak of Offshore Financial Records Exposes Global Array of Crime and Corruption,”
The Panama Papers, April 3, 2016, https://panamapapers.icij.org/20160403-panama-papers-global-overview.html.
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