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1 [1] (March 18, 2026)

handle is hein.crs/govetvz0001 and id is 1 raw text is: The Evolving Strategy to Combat Transnational Organized Crime Transnational organized crime (TOC) networks have been adapting and evolving, posing challenges for federal law enforcement. Since the Obama Administration's issuance of an initial strategy in 2011, counter-TOC efforts have evolved through a series of Executive Orders (E.O.s) and an updated strategy published in 2023. Policymakers may opt to examine the implementation of the strategic objectives and directives outlined in the strategies and E.O.s as well as congressional action that may complement or guide these counter-TOC activities. Conceptualizing TOC 201 Strategy In July 2011, the Obama Administration issued the White House Strategy to Combat Transnational Organized Crime (2011 Strategy), which laid out the federal government's first broad conceptualization of TOC, focusing on it as a national security concern. The 2011 Strategy offered the following definition of TOC: Transnational organized crime refers to those self- perpetuating associations of individuals who operate transnationally for the purpose of obtaining power, influence, monetary and/or commercial gains, wholly or in part by illegal means, while protecting their activities through a pattern of corruption and/or violence, or while protecting their illegal activities through a transnational organizational structure and the exploitation of transnational commerce or communication mechanisms. There is no single structure under which transnational organized criminals operate; they vary from hierarchies to clans, networks, and cells, and may evolve to other structures. The crimes they commit also vary. Transnational organized criminals act conspiratorially in their criminal activities and possess certain characteristics which may include, but are not limited to: In at least part of their activities they commit violence or other acts which are likely to intimidate, or make actual or implicit threats to do so; They exploit differences between countries to further their objectives, enriching their organization, expanding its power, and/or avoiding detection/apprehension; They attempt to gain influence in government, politics, and commerce through corrupt as well as legitimate means: Updated March 18, 2026 They have economic gain as their primary goal, not only from patently illegal activities but also from investment in legitimate businesses; and They attempt to insulate both their leadership and membership from detection, sanction, and/or prosecution through their organizational structure. 2023 Strategy In December 2023, the Biden Administration issued an updated White House Strategy to Combat Transnational Organized Crime (2023 Strategy). It updates the 2011 Strategy, maintaining a similar conceptualization of TOC. The 2023 Strategy defines TOC as follows: [TOCs] refer to groups, networks, and associated individuals who operate transnationally for the purpose of obtaining power, influence, or monetary or commercial gain, wholly or in part by illegal means, while advancing their activities through a pattern of crime, corruption, or violence, and while protecting their illegal activities through a transnational organizational structure and the exploitation of public corruption or transnational logistics, financial, or communication mechanisms. Like the 2011 Strategy, the 2023 Strategy also notes the opportunistic, poly-criminal nature of transnational criminal networks, the fluidity of their sizes and structures, and their activities that overlap the licit and illicit realms. Executive Orders udng the Federal Response to TOC A number of E.O.s have provided direction for the nation's efforts to counter TOC. Examples include the following: E.O. 13581. The 2011 Strategy's release coincided with President Obama issuing E.O. 13581, which announced economic sanctions on significant transnational criminal organizations. E.O. 13773. President Trump's E.O. 13773 directed the executive branch to strengthen the enforcement of federal laws and prioritize law enforcement resources to combat transnational criminal groups. E.O. 13863. President Trump's E.O. 13863 reaffirmed that the threats posed by TOC present a national emergency. It also noted that significant transnational organizations can both engage in andfacilitate criminal activity. Facilitators can help criminal networks carry out specific functions, such as money laundering. E.O. 14060. Under President Biden, E.O. 14060 established the U.S. Council on Transnational Organized Crime