Editor’s Note: Transnational Criminal Organizations are deeply involved in tobacco trafficking. For example, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police explained that “various examples of commodities that are used for profit by transnational organized criminals: cigarette smuggling, antiquities theft, counterfeit currency, jewel trade, drugs, human smuggling and alcohol smuggling.”
From: The White House via Federal Register
On July 24, 2011, by Executive Order 13581, I declared a national emergency with respect to transnational criminal organizations pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701-1706) to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States constituted by the activities of significant transnational criminal organizations.
The activities of significant transnational criminal organizations have reached such scope and gravity that they threaten the stability of international political and economic systems. Such organizations are becoming increasingly sophisticated and dangerous to the United States; they are increasingly entrenched in the operations of foreign governments and the international financial system, thereby weakening democratic institutions, degrading the rule of law, and undermining economic markets. These organizations facilitate and aggravate violent civil conflicts and increasingly facilitate the activities of other dangerous persons.
