ABSTRACT

Today, organized crime poses a really serious threat to most advanced democracies as it is present everywhere and in many different guises. In Italy, it wields territorial, economic and political power; in France, Spain, Germany and the UK it is above all a money-laundering business. But the alarming fact, not to be forgotten, is that in order to thrive and flourish as they do, they enjoy a form of tacit assistance and cooperation, usually from law enforcement agencies and politicians.