The scale and nature of organised crime represent a significant risk to national security and public safety. Organised crime is more pervasive in British society than is generally acknowledged, and includes often overlooked activities such as illicit trade.
That is according to a 95-page report, On Tap: Organised Crime and the Illicit Trade in Tobacco, Alcohol and Pharmaceuticals in the UK – by the think-tank RUSI (the Whitehall-based Royal United Services Institute). Its authors are Charlie Edwards, Director of the National Security and Resilience Studies Group at RUSI; and Calum Jeffray is a Research Analyst within the National Security and Resilience Studies Group.
The illicit trade in tobacco, alcohol and pharmaceuticals is often more attractive to organised criminals than, for example, drug trafficking, given that it is a low-risk and high-value activity. The high profit margins associated with illicit trade are used to fund other crime.
For the full report visit – https://www.rusi.org/downloads/assets/201412_WHR_On_Tap.pdf.
