TERM OF THE DAY organized crime Ongoing conspiratorial enterprise engaged in illicit activities as a means of generating income (as black money). Structured like a business into a pyramid shaped hierarchy, it freely employs violence and bribery to maintain itsoperations, threats of grievous retribution (including murder) to maintain internal and external control, and thuggery and contribution to election campaigns to buypolitical patronage for immunity from exposure and prosecution. Its activities include credit card fraud, gun running, illegal gambling, insurance fraud,kidnapping for ransom, narcotics trade, pornography, prostitution, racketeering, smuggling, vehicle theft, etc. With the arrival of international terrorism (with which it often has symbiotic ... Learn more about this term Usage Example A widespread example of organized crime is money laundering, an illegal process that has become a significant global problem and has caused strict policy among governments and financial institutions.