[HIB]UN warns that organized crime is fueling growing threat to global security

The U.N. drug and crime czar warned Thursday that international crime syndicates pose a growing threat to global security and called for a new campaign to disrupt the markets for their illicit goods and activities in the U.S. and other rich nations.Antonio Maria Costa told a high-level General Assembly meeting that demand for illegal drugs, diamonds and other items is fueling transnational organized crime and while arresting some traffickers may divert the flow of goods it will not shut them off."Therefore, in order to more effectively fight organized crime, we must shift focus from disrupting the mafias to disrupting their markets," he said. "We must also crack down on the accomplices of crime, like the army of white-collar criminals — lawyers, accountants, realtors and bankers — who cover them up and launder their proceeds."

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