Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs: A Case Study

I. Introduction

According to the FBI, an organized crime group is a group that has some type of a formal structure and main goal is to profit and gain money through criminal and illegal activities. These groups keep their power by using violence (actual or threatened), corrupting public and legal officials, extortion, and in general they make a negative impact on the people in their area, region or even the country as a whole (FBI, 2010). They similarly define a criminal enterprise as a group with an obvious hierarchy structure and participate in criminal and illegal activities. They are usually involved in numerous illegal activities and have a large network of support (FBI, 2010).

I have chosen to analyze Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs or OMGs.

In 2012, 19 members were arrested on 91-counts of racketeering, narcotics violations, robbery, money laundering, and firearm violations. During the arrests police found about 100 guns including machine guns, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana (FBI, 2012). In South Carolina, in 2013, 15 members and associates were found guilty of trafficking drugs, money laundering, and firearm charges (FBI, 2013). During the investigation, the police discovered that over 100 guns had been moved, this included machine-guns, ARs, and sawed-off shotguns (FBI, 2013). In addition, they also supplied methamphetamine, cocaine, bath salts and prescription pills. (FBI, 2013). For the most part, modern technology has not changed how outlaw motorcycle gangs make their money. They are still producing and running drugs and weapons among other things. The only thing that modern technology has done, is help them to be more efficient.

V. Law Enforcement’s

Usually the investigations are long and complex because of the amount of crime and criminal activities involved with these groups. The investigations require special techniques and the investigators and prosecutors of organized crime groups have to have extensive knowledge and experience in dealing with organized criminal cases. The investigations have to be proactive as opposed to reactive in order to stay ahead of the criminal enterprises. Law enforcement uses all intelligence available to them; they collect and analyze all historical information and data on the criminal group being investigated, their modes of operation, objectives, and any networks that they could use to their advantage while pursuing their illegal activities. Investigations are developed into long term inquiries so as to include the entire criminal group or organization in hopes of preventing future criminal activity.

Techniques like undercover operations, controlled delivery and communications surveillance always used during investigations. When planning and executing these types of large-scale investigations, there must always be constant combined efforts between law enforcement and prosecutors. Because of the complex nature of investigating and prosecuting organized crime groups, there are often highly structured, parallel investigations, even on a transnational level. These investigations are often continuously expanding