Drugs, Gangs, and Violence

How can we understand the nature of gangs and transnational organized crime, and how have these organizations contributed to crime and violence? The introduction outlines the scope of the book and submits the following argument: states plagued by high levels of corruption, impunity, and lack of transparency serve as incubators for crime and violence. Governments must address the underlying socioeconomic challenges that create the appropriate conditions making youth vulnerable to being recruited by gangs and other organized crime groups. As a result, this work seeks to understand how institutional weakness can help foster these organizations, which in turn leads to violence.

This chapter traces the history of crime and violence and their interaction in the formulation of sophisticated, global illicit markets. It conceptualizes violence as an important tool of the underworld to enforce contracts, eliminate rivals, communicate and, ultimately, to coerce others. The chapter highlights specific cases such as the history of prohibition, the Italian-American mafia, and other organized criminal groups, to demonstrate the use of violence in the criminal underworld. It also explores new, technological developments in the criminal landscape, such as the use of the Dark Web and Bitcoin.

This chapter examines the trends in drug trafficking and organized crime. It begins with an analysis of the case of drug trafficking and organized crime in Colombia, which has played a crucial role in the drug trafficking supply-chain. Colombia also has been a critical ally of the United States in its war on drugs. The US government, for example, invested billions of dollars trying to increase security in this country and combat organized crime through an initiative known as Plan Colombia. What have been the results of such efforts? The chapter then turns to drug trafficking and organized crime in Mexico, focusing on the militarization of the war on drugs. It examines the nature of drug cartels and organized crime in Mexico, focusing on how such organizations have evolved over time. The chapter then explores the relationship between Mexico and the United States and evaluates the role of strategies such as the Mérida Initiative. Next, the chapter turns to the issue of human trafficking and examines the role that organized crime groups play in this enterprise. The chapter concludes with an analysis of what constitutes success as well as some potential future challenges.

This chapter focuses on gangs and counter-gang strategies and how they have contributed to violence. It begins with a conceptualization of gangs. After an examination of the different elements that constitute a gang, the chapter discusses the structure of gangs, focusing on the differences between vertical and horizontal structures. It then turns to an examination of Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and the 18^th Street gangs. It analyzes the origins of these organizations and the different factors that resulted in the expansion of these street gangs throughout Central America. The chapter focuses on the role of tough on crime strategies as well as the consequences of such initiatives. Next, it explores the relationship between Central American street gang members and the penitentiary system. It also explores the relationship between these gangs and the United States and analyzes the policies of the current administration. The chapter concludes with some policy recommendations.

This chapter explores the nature and types of violence the world suffers from today. Physical acts of violence such as war and terrorism, structural violence like poverty and economic deprivation, and violence against women and children, including sexual abuse, are examined. The chapter sees violence as an act of communication by various groups (e.g., organized crime groups), as they seek to convey some message to the world. For instance, criminal groups can use violence to scare rivals and intimidate citizens from reporting corrupt acts to the police or journalists from publishing stories about illicit activities. The chapter concludes by questioning if we will ever see the end of violence.

Finally, the book concludes by examining the concept of models (e.g., counter-narcotics strategies) and whether they can be applied in multiple countries. In addition, this chapter explores the issue of combating poverty and inequality. The chapter also addresses the issue of corruption and the need to reform various institutions (e.g., prisons). It also provides an examination of the prospects for demand reduction.