Organized crime in the United States

The roots of organized crime in the U.S. trace to the late 19th century, when immigrant groups—particularly Irish, Jewish, and Italian—formed street gangs in urban centers like New York and Chicago.¹ Prohibition (1920–1933) provided a lucrative black market for alcohol, enabling figures like Al Capone to build powerful syndicates.² After Prohibition, the Mafia diversified into gambling, labor racketeering, and narcotics, establishing a national commission to arbitrate disputes.³ The 1960s and 1970s saw the rise of African American and Latino gangs, while the late 20th century brought transnational cartels from Colombia and Mexico, reshaping the landscape.

The federal response to organized crime intensified with the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act of 1970, which allows prosecution of entire criminal enterprises for a pattern of racketeering activity.⁴ The FBI and the Department of Justice have used RICO to dismantle Mafia families, as in the 1985 Mafia Commission Trial.⁵ More recent efforts focus on transnational organized crime, with agencies like the DEA and Homeland Security Investigations targeting drug trafficking networks. State and local task forces also play a role, often addressing street gangs through anti-gang injunctions and community policing.

Today, organized crime in the U.S. is dominated by Mexican drug cartels, which control most heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl distribution, often through U.S.-based street gangs.⁶ Outlaw motorcycle clubs like the Hells Angels remain active in drug trafficking and extortion. Cybercrime has emerged as a new frontier, with groups like the ransomware syndicate REvil operating from abroad but targeting U.S. businesses. Human trafficking and illegal firearms trafficking also persist, with networks exploiting vulnerable populations. The FBI estimates that organized crime costs the U.S. economy billions annually, though exact figures are elusive.

Beyond the headline groups, organized crime includes lesser-known entities like the Jewish-American "Kosher Nostra" and the Cuban exile groups that engaged in drug trafficking in the 1970s. The 1971 Attica prison riot was partly fueled by inmate demands over organized crime influence in prisons. The RICO Act has been used against non-traditional targets, including anti-abortion protesters and Wall Street firms. The FBI's "Top Hoodlum Program" of the 1950s was an early intelligence effort that predated RICO. Additionally, the Mafia's influence on labor unions, particularly the Teamsters, led to federal oversight that continues today.

RICO Act

Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, a federal law enabling prosecution of criminal enterprises.

Mafia

Italian-American organized crime syndicate, also known as La Cosa Nostra.

Cartel

A drug trafficking organization, often transnational, that controls supply and distribution.