The persistent shadow of La Cosa Nostra, a confederation of American-Italian organized crime families, has long stretched across the landscape of New Jersey, its tendrils reaching into various legitimate and illicit enterprises. This Commission's investigations have meticulously documented the structure and activities of these criminal organizations, revealing a sophisticated network driven by profit and maintained through intimidation and violence. The major families operating within or impacting the state - including the Gambino, Genovese, Lucchese, Colombo, Bonanno, DeCavalcante, and Bruno/Scarfo families - each exert their influence through distinct territories and rackets, yet often engage in cooperative ventures when it serves their collective interests.
A critical distinction must be drawn between La Cosa Nostra (LCN), a domestic entity, and the Sicilian Mafia, a centuries-old organization rooted in Sicily. While often conflated, our findings indicate these are independent groups. However, a significant working relationship exists, particularly in the realm of narcotics trafficking. The Sicilian Mafia, with its global connections, has established a vast transportation network, moving cocaine from Colombia to Italy, and then heroin and cocaine from Italy to American shores, utilizing East Coast ports such as New York and Philadelphia. This collaboration underscores the international scope of organized crime and its impact on New Jersey communities.
The Commission's probes have illuminated the insidious methods employed by these groups to generate revenue. Narcotics trafficking stands as a primary source, but the web of illicit activities extends to money laundering, extortion, and loansharking, all conducted with a calculated disregard for the law. Conversations intercepted during investigations reveal a cryptic, coded language, constantly revolving around drugs, money, and the delicate balance of power among the various families. This intricate internal dynamic, often punctuated by disputes over territory or profits, dictates the ebb and flow of criminal operations within the state.
Beyond the traditional LCN families, the Sicilian Mafia has demonstrated a unique operational characteristic: the utilization of women and non-Mafia family members as couriers for narcotics. This tactic, coupled with a more selective induction process primarily based on blood or marriage, renders penetration by law enforcement exceedingly difficult. The close ties between the Sicilian Mafia and entities like Colombia's Medellin drug cartel further highlight the global reach of these criminal enterprises, as evidenced by indictments linking individuals in Miami to Mafia drug shipments destined for Philadelphia and New York.
Earlier investigations by this Commission revealed the infiltration of organized crime into industries seemingly far removed from the stereotypical rackets. The building services and maintenance industry, for instance, was found to be plagued by anti-competitive practices and corrupt labor activities. Figures commonly associated with organized crime emerged in connection with coerced sales of cleaning products and the manipulation of labor peace, demonstrating the pervasive nature of their influence.
The Commission's efforts to confront organized crime figures directly, through subpoenas and public hearings, have often met with defiance. Many individuals identified as leaders and members of organized crime in New Jersey have chosen incarceration for civil contempt rather than answer questions, even with grants of witness immunity. This steadfast refusal to cooperate underscores the deeply entrenched code of silence that protects these criminal hierarchies and presents an ongoing challenge to the effective enforcement of state laws.
The reach of organized crime has also been observed in the alcoholic beverage industry, where licensed premises have been found under the control of organized crime figures or undisclosed owners with disqualifying criminal connections. Such infiltration allows for the laundering of illicit funds and provides venues for further criminal activity. The Commission firmly believes that any effort against organized crime, particularly its role in drug trafficking, ultimately contributes to mitigating street crime and safeguarding public safety.
The ongoing evolution of organized crime necessitates continuous vigilance. While the traditional structures of La Cosa Nostra remain a significant concern, the interconnectedness with international criminal organizations, particularly in the realm of drug trafficking, presents a dynamic and ever-shifting threat. The Commission's work continues to expose these networks, striving to maintain the faithful execution and effective enforcement of the laws of the state, ensuring public peace, safety, and justice against the enduring menace of organized crime.
