Dirty Cash: Organised Crime in the 21st Century

by David Southwell

A horrifying expose of organized crime in the US and the rest of the world. Today, every country seems to have its own Mafia, and crime - like every other busines - has been quick to take advantage of the new global economy. Business is good, with over $150 billion laundered each year in Europe alone, as links are formed between the Mafia, the Triads, the Yardies, the Yakuza, the Russian Mafiya and the South American cartels. This book looks in detail at the specific groups involved, the crimes they commit, and the everyday lives of their members.

256 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2002

Reviews

[Walt · Rating 2 out of 5]

This mass-market paperback reads like a collection of magazine articles. Some chapters and subsections are really good and others are disappointing. There is a fair amount of original content included. The section of the Bulgarian crime syndicates is especially interesting. Based on the novelty of some sources this would be an exceptional little book. However, there are noticeable problems.

Having read many books on organized crime, I am familiar with the genre and historical points, especially with regards to English (American) publications. In assessing the book by its content in this area, it fairs poorly. Not only are there misspellings of organizations and people; but there are some bizarre claims such as the Ku Klux Klan and IRA were involved in narcotics trafficking. This might be easier to accept if there were references; but there are no references or even a bibliography. It is impossible to replicate many of the author's findings.

Further along, the author attempts to systematically describe organized crime groups around the world; but barely touches on traditional American syndicates. Instead he touches upon a handful urban street gangs and gives only bare generalizations. He replicates this format with regards to the United Kingdom, although he gives vague references to syndicates pulling the strings. At one point the author apologizes for not giving any proper names; but says this is due to legal requirements from the publisher. There is some question to this line as there is plenty media coverage of various crime syndicates in the UK and beyond. Had he done his referencing, the issue would be moot and he could be cryptic and vague with more specific areas such as the group in Newcastle.

However, thorough the research might be in regards to Bulgaria, Newcastle, or elsewhere, the entire book is sullied my the sloppy reporting on better-known groups. The errors and sloppiness are bound to extend into the other areas as well.