Efforts boosted to combat transnational organised crime

Transnational organised crime is a serious threat to security and the socio-economic development of regions worldwide. To warn and call for the international community's cooperation against this challenge, the United Nations General Assembly designated November 15 as the International Day for the Prevention and Combat of All Forms of Transnational Organised Crime.

Organised and transnational crime are recognised as issues no single country can tackle alone. These criminal networks, involved in human trafficking, illegal wildlife trade, online fraud, and more, have presented complex problems that demand solutions. Criminal groups have continuously expanded their activities. They have utilised crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, economic downturns, conflicts, natural disasters, and legal loopholes to conduct illicit operations.

Recent anti-human trafficking operations led by Interpol have highlighted the scale and complexity of this crime. A campaign named "Liberterra II" has been conducted across 116 countries and territories. In addition to raids, the authorities have also implemented thousands of monitored flights and enhanced border control efforts, especially in identified trafficking hotspots. Interpol gathered crucial intelligence, leading to the successful resolution of multiple cases.

In just one week, the operation saw over 2,500 arrests and the rescue of more than 3,200 victims, including those at risk of falling into traffickers' hands. The victims, some of whom were children, were subjected to forced labour, abuse, and harsh living conditions.

With cyberspace erasing borders, criminal groups are exploiting social media and advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), to commit fraud, steal information, and deceive individuals into criminal activity. This growing sophistication in cybercrime has left many countries grappling with effective responses.

In response, Interpol and law enforcement agencies from 95 member countries launched "Synergia II", a campaign to tackle online fraud, ransomware, and data theft. Over four months, Interpol dismantled more than 22,000 IP addresses, seized numerous servers, and arrested several suspects.

Transnational organised crime endangers lives and threatens biodiversity and ecological balance.

A report on global wildlife crime by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), released in May, revealed illegal trade across 162 countries and territories, impacting around 4,000 species of animals and plants between 2015 and 2021.

The report warns of the alarming scope and scale of wildlife crime worldwide. The UNODC noted that transnational crime groups exploit legal and enforcement gaps, frequently altering tactics and routes to evade authorities.

In a first-time effort to protect wildlife, especially endangered species, the UNODC and its partners launched Wildlife Week in Cape Town, South Africa. This initiative promotes experience sharing and information exchange on combating transnational organised crime, enhancing the effectiveness of global cooperation.

Without unified international collaboration, it remains challenging to halt and push back against organised and transnational crime. This urgency led the UN General Assembly to designate today, November 15, as the first International Day for the Prevention and Combat of All Forms of Transnational Organised Crime to strengthen global efforts in this crucial fight.

NDO