Transnational Criminal Organizations: The Menacing Threat to the U.S. Homeland

Testimony of Douglas FarahPresident, IBI Consultants, LLCBefore theHouse Committee on Homeland SecuritySubcommittee on Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement and Intelligence The multi-billion dollar illicit economies in Latin America, centered on the cocaine trade but diversifying to new commodities and activities, are undergoing profound restructuring with long-term strategic repercussions for the United States and its allies in the…

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Internationalizing the Fight against Hubs of Illicit Trade (HIT) and Criminalized Markets

In February 2021, the Terrorism, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center (TraCCC) and its Anti-Illicit Trade Institute (AITI) embarked on a two-year research project to examine “Hubs of Illicit Trade” around the world. Academic literature and studies have shown hubs of illicit trade and illicit economies facilitate the production, illegal trade, and trafficking of counterfeit and…

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Spring ICAIE Policy Brief: Emerging Transnational Organized Crime Threats in Latin America: Converging Criminalized Markets & Illicit Vectors

Now Latin America is facing a “perfect storm of reinforcing economic, criminal and political
stresses that is eroding its institutions and economic prospects, radicalizing its people,
and undermining its commitment to democracy and the rule of law.” The malign influence of China, Russia, and Iran exacerbates regional anti-crime strategies.

In this context we identify five emerging security trends that offer new challenges to law enforcement and policy communities in the
region that are far reaching, and threaten to accelerate the negative trends unless dealt with effectively.

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ICAIE HFSC Statement for the Record – Follow the Money: The CCP’s Business Model Fueling the Fentanyl Crisis

Today, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is arguably one of the world’s biggest transnational illicit trade syndicates and a prolific enabler of crime and corruption globally, whose complicity in the fentanyl illegal trade is killing thousands of Americans every month. Find below the official ICAIE submission for the Congressional on March 23, 2023 hearing on…

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The Dark Side of Illicit Economies and TBML: Free Trade Zones, Ports, and Financial Safe Havens

The ICAIE report, “The Dark Side of Illicit Economies and TBML: Free Trade Zones, Ports, and Financial Safe Havens” and recommendations outline the importance of public-private partnerships to counter illicit trade and TBML. ICAIE highlights the importance of leveraging strategic intelligence, network analytics, and pattern-of-life forensics to disrupt the logistics, financial wherewithal, and corruptive influence…

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New Report: The PRC, Feudal Governors and No Accountability – LITHIUM MINING IN ARGENTINA’S NORTHWEST DISTRICT

This study examines how the government of Argentina has allowed the PRC to take over multiple strategic interests, including the vital lithium trade. China’s ability to create a deeply uneven playing field through corrupt practices and deception, with the complicity of the Argentine national and provincial governments, not only shields PRC companies from fair competition, but also from accountability, environmental oversight and community participation.  Douglas Farah, IBI Consultants, LLC, March 2023.

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ICAIE’s John Cassara Publishes New Book on China, Transnational Crime and Money Laundering.

According to the new John Cassara book, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) continues to aggressively expand its role in growing illicit economies, criminalized markets, corrupt practices, and money laundering/TBML. February 21, 2023 05:00 ET WASHINGTON, Feb. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – David M. Luna, Executive Director of the International Coalition Against Illicit Economies (ICAIE), applauds…

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