The Index

Nov 18 2024 33 ep. 27 mins 114
The Index Podcast artwork

The Index is a podcast based around the Global Organized Crime Index, an online tool that ranks levels of criminality and resilience in 193 countries. From drug trafficking and mafia-style crimes to criminal justice and security – In this series we’ll take a deep dive into the Global Organized Crime Index with leading experts and look at some of the biggest organized crime threats facing countries and regions around the world. The Index was nominated for 'Best Video Podcast' at the 2024 Publishers Podcast Awards. Disclaimer: This series was funded in part by a grant from the United States Department of State. The opinions, findings and conclusions stated herein are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of State.

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Vietnam & human trafficking

Nov 18 2024 18 mins  
In August police in Vietnam uncovered an infant trafficking ring which had purchased and resold at least 16 infants, ages ranging from just days to a few months old, leading to further investigations that uncovered 84 suspected trafficking cases across 32 provinces.In this episode, we delve into the harrowing realities of human trafficking in Vietnam. For more than two decades the

The Mocro Mafia in Western Europe

Oct 28 2024 14 mins  
The 'Marengo Trial' lasted years, finally resulting in multiple convictions of the so-called Mocro Mafia, including one of its most infamous leaders, Ridouan Taghi, who was convicted of murder among other things.Who are the Mocro Mafia? They were born out of the Dutch-Moroccan community in the Netherlands during the 90s, starting with the smuggling of hashish before moving onto the

Paraguay: Rising Criminality

Sep 23 2024 13 mins  
When we think about the global drugs trade – countries like Colombia and Mexico often come to mind. But according to the Global Organized Crime Index, the country that sits just behind those two is Paraguay. In fact, Paraguay sits 4th globally for levels of criminality, with 7.52 out of 10.It has really high scores for illicit markets like arms trafficking (9), counterfeit goods

TRAILER: Underworlds with Mark Shaw - Underworlds with Mark Shaw

Sep 15 2024 2 mins  
Welcome to Underworlds with Mark Shaw.Organized Crime is everywhere, hidden in plain sight. The stories from this world have been mythologised by Hollywood. But the reality can be even stranger and more exciting than fiction. From the golden age of the American mafia (La Cosa Nostra), to the modern-day cocaine empires, and from the shadowy links between organized crime and terroris

India, Ivory Poaching, and Technology

Jul 29 2024 13 mins  
Ivory poaching is a problem wherever we find elephants, and that is no different in India. The ivory taken from the Asian elephants has long been prized in both traditional Chinese medicine and also ivory artefacts.According to the Global Organized Crime Index, India has low score for Criminal Actors (4.8), but scores highly for Criminal Markets (6.7), where it sits 16th globally.

The War in Ukraine & Arms Trafficking

Jul 14 2024 15 mins  
Ukraine (9/10) and Russia (8.5/10), alongside the former Soviet states of Moldova and Belarus, have some of the highest scores for arms trafficking in the Global Organized Crime Index.This is due to the significant levels of weapons and ammunition left over at the end of the Soviet period. In addition to the high levels of arms trafficking across this part of Europe, Central and Ea

The Netherlands, illicit drugs and Western Balkans organized crime

Jun 09 2024 17 mins  
The Netherlands is an important global trading hub, with Rotterdam being one of the worlds largest container ports in the world. The country's high quality infrastructure and the well known liberal approach to drugs makes the Netherlands attractive to organized criminal groups. And those originating in the Western Balkans have long been active in the Netherlands. According to the G

South Africa, the taxi industry, and assassinations

May 26 2024 13 mins  
The largely unregulated taxi industry in South Africa has long been associated with violence., as taxi associations clash with one another over control of lucrative routes. Taxi-related violence ranges from shoot-out at taxi ranks to targeted hits on influential players in the industry, often sparking retaliatory killings, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of taxi operators and i

Nigeria and Kidnappings

Apr 22 2024 23 mins  
In March this year, gangs of armed men on motorcycles descended on a school in north-western state of Kaduna in Nigeria, kidnapping over 280 children. In the same week a similar mass kidnapping took place in the north-eastern state of Borno.Over the past few years, kidnappings have been a real issue in Nigeria, but have recently been in decline. So, who is behind these kidnappings?

Brazil, Rio, and Militias

Apr 02 2024 20 mins  
Brazil has long had a problem with mafia-style groups, according to the Global Organized Crime Index, with 8 out of 10, that places the country 3rd in South America.One such group are the so-called militias, made up of former and serving members of military police or law enforcement. The militias groups have sought to profit from the housing market , with many residents facing the