Organized Crime

A mayor in Mexico's Morelos state was fatally shot, marking the 14th city leader killed since President Claudia Sheinbaum took office in 2024. Under her predecessor, 26 mayors were murdered over six years, with an academic noting cartels increasingly control regional governments and a politician warning they are left to confront organized crime alone. The US announced a major crackdown on the Jalisco cartel.

The US embassy has urged American citizens in Israel to exercise caution due to a rise in organized crime. This warning follows a series of attacks on Japanika sushi chain branches linked to an escalating conflict between influential crime families in Israel.

Brazil’s federal accounts court (TCU) reported that organized crime moves about R$348bn annually, 2.4 times the amount the state spends on security. Federal transfers to state security spending were 1.19% in 2023, 1.17% in 2024, and 1.31% in 2025.

Russia experienced a surge in organized crime during the 'wild 90s' following the Soviet Union's 1991 collapse, with gangs controlling key sectors and violent crimes escalating. Current fears suggest the Ukraine war may trigger a similar resurgence in criminal activity.

Keiko Fujimori will take office as Peru's president on July 28 after narrowly defeating Roberto Sanchez in a closely contested election. The race is among the closest in Peru's history, with Fujimori inheriting challenges of political instability and organized crime.

A Europe-wide investigation is underway for Anastasia, a Ukrainian woman linked to organized crime, suspected of detonating a bomb in Monaco that killed an oligarch, his mistress, and their son. Authorities describe her as a 'bucket hat-wearing' assassin connected to criminal networks.

Chile's President José Antonio Kast called for life sentences for leaders of organized crime and total prison isolation to prevent gang operations from behind bars during an official visit to Uruguay. He made these remarks after meeting with Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi.

Jacinta Allan acknowledged that criminals operated on some of Victoria’s construction sites during the Big Build projects but rejected calls for a royal commission into corruption involving unions and labor hire companies. She argued in an op-ed that a royal commission would not resolve the issue.

Five members of Israel’s Arab minority were killed in a single day through a series of suspected criminal acts, including two car bomb explosions in Jaffa and Holon and three separate killings in Arab communities. Police have linked all incidents to organized or criminal violence.

Uruguay's government will deploy twelve Mamba MK-7 armored vehicles from the National Army to patrol high-crime neighborhoods in Montevideo under police command. The measure aims to combat organized crime and is part of an agreement between the Interior and Defense Ministries, sparking political debate.

Two employees and a customer were arrested by the Kentucky State Police (KSP) at Golden Phoenix Spa in Oak Grove for prostitution and organized crime charges. A search warrant revealed items linked to sexual activity, and one employee was additionally charged with evading police. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities urging the public to provide information.

Australian police seized a record 2.7 tonnes of cocaine hidden in plastic tubs buried underground on the outskirts of Sydney. The drugs were allegedly arranged for offloading by a Sydney-based organized crime group via a foreign vessel in northern Queensland before being moved to Sydney for distribution.

A mass shooting in Johannesburg's informal settlement killed 12 and injured 15, linked to organized crime gangs exploiting police failures and poor security in impoverished areas. South Africa's president deployed the army to combat crime, while police corruption and collusion with syndicates have led to arrests of senior officers.

Twelve people were killed in a shooting spree at an illegal miners’ site near Johannesburg. The attack occurred in the impoverished Jumpers settlement, with police suspecting the motive is tied to illegal mining activities linked to organized crime.

Organized crime is surging in Gauteng, South Africa, according to a news brief from allAfrica. The report highlights increasing criminal activity in the region as a key concern.

Dr. David Wilson, author of a Home Office-sponsored report on China and organized crime in the UK, claims he was targeted by a former British police officer in efforts to influence or discredit his work. He alleges failed honey traps and attempts to compromise his research on policing challenges linked to the Chinese Communist Party and criminal gangs.

Politically-motivated crimes in Germany doubled over the past decade, reaching an all-time high in 2025. Germany plans to collaborate with Mexico to address drug gangs and organized crime.

Major General Richard Shibiri, head of SAPS organised crime, was fired for misconduct and associating with criminal Vusimuzi Matlala. Shibiri allegedly accepted R70,000 to R80,000 from Matlala and warned him of a police raid. Matlala is in prison awaiting trial.

The article explains Bitcoin's pseudonymous nature, noting that while Bitcoin itself doesn't require personal data, companies often link user information to accounts for compliance, risking privacy. It highlights Bitcoin's role as a privacy tool in a data-insecure digital society and discusses varying threats like government controls, organized crime, and oppressive regimes.

The DOJ Task Force froze $3.8 million in illicit cryptocurrency linked to organized crime in Southeast Asia, with assistance from Coinbase, SpaceX, and Meta. These companies helped address crypto fraud tied to criminal networks in the region.

Peru faces a surge in crime, including extortion and killings, ahead of its presidential runoff. Small businesses and residents report increased vulnerability, with organized crime linked to illegal mining and underfunded law enforcement exacerbating the crisis.

Two people were killed when an explosive device caused a car to veer off Route 40 near Beersheba. Police attributed the fire to a bomb linked to organized crime. A separate incident involved a man stabbed to death in Ashkelon.

West London's nightlife is declining as organized crime, date rape drug incidents, and the influence of American expats deter wealthy Brits from the once-exclusive party scene.

Two Kremlin experts analyze Russia's domestic political and psychological impacts due to its war in Ukraine, criticizing the regime as a dangerous combination of organized crime and communist disregard for human life.

Sergeant Fannie Nkosi, a South African police officer, is accused of linking the country's mob to the state during an inquiry into politics and organized crime. His surreal testimony has drawn attention to the intersection of law enforcement and criminal networks in South Africa.

Former Cambodian opposition leader Kem Sokha was granted a royal pardon. The move occurs as the government faces scrutiny for its handling of online scam centers and organized crime.

The murder of Mehdi Kessaci in Marseille is linked to organized crime involving competing hitmen teams. A €100,000 contract suggests mistaken identity, as suspects claim Amine Kessaci, not Mehdi, was the intended target due to his anti-drug trafficking activism.

Twelve members of the violent "Crown Hill Enterprise" criminal organization have been indicted on federal RICO charges, including murder allegations. The indictment represents a major law enforcement action against the organized crime group. The charges carry serious federal penalties under racketeering statutes.

Gang violence has resulted in at least 25 deaths in Honduras during recent attacks by gunmen. The government is actively pursuing a crackdown on organized crime in response to the escalating violence.

El Salvador is conducting a mass trial for nearly 500 individuals accused of gang-related activities. The trial marks a significant legal action against organized crime in the country.

Albanian gangs are bribing corrupt police officers up to £2,600 to obtain official letters supporting asylum seekers' applications. The scheme involves organized crime groups exploiting systemic corruption to facilitate illegal immigration.

Theresa Lloyd is an FBI agent who has served since 2006, initially working organized crime cases in New York City for six years before being transferred to the Buffalo Field Office.

T. White, an FBI agent at the Dallas Field Office, brings 10 years of U.S. Capitol Police experience to his role. Since joining the FBI, he has primarily focused on organized crime investigations.