The latter half of the 20^th century has seen the relationship between drugs and organised crime grow exponentially. At the same time world governments have on the whole lacked the resources or intelligence to either realise the growth and or combat it. However, since the end of the Cold War state's machinery focussed on spy games has had to redefine its role and look to new 'markets' for its services. In many respects it can be said that drugs, terrorism, human trafficking and organised crime as a whole has proved a healthy substitute for the Soviet bloc. In terms of global co-operation the 1988 UN convention against illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances marked this turning point. Organised crime varies in its size and composition. The focus of its activities remains the same, though: profit and power. Corruption of government officials has been a major problem in some EU countries - notably Italy - and whilst organised crime has expanded in the EU Italian influences have been supplemented with outside competition from Asia, South America, the US, Russia and Eastern Europe. Organised crime represents the supply side of the drugs equation and is involved with some or all production activities from financing down to street pedalling.

Up until the late 1800s the Mafia effectively ruled Sicily and had a major hand in its regional development. Degeneration within Italy allowed the Mafia to take hold and the concentration of their power allowed them to make alliances in America. Mafia clans throughout Italy control or influence all levels of the Italian economy through their vast financial muscle. Such economic clout was put to use in the drugs market and pushed drug use up not least by launching new drugs to the market. In 1963, for instance, Sicily was regarded as the trafficking point for heroin. By 1972 alliances had been made with groups as diverse as the Naples Camorra and the Corsican clans who used Marseilles as their French connection. After the French connection was brought down in the late 1970s the Mafia alliance adapted and using a variety of in-roads actually managed to increase its heroin trafficking into Western Europe. Thus from being a conservative, criminal organisation after WW2 (and having been used by the allies to help defeat Italian fascism) the Mafia became a dynamic institution able to exert power and influence over many locally elected Councillors, local administrators and the higher echelons of the State apparatus. The Mafia acts with considerable freedom of action and "political" autonomy. It provides financial support for certain candidates in elections both at national and local level, and is able to encourage voters to make the right choice. In 1982 the La Torre law against the Mafia was adopted and came into effect. It introduced offences which meant to be associated with the Mafia or any other criminal organisation constituted a criminal offence. In legal terms, it was supposed to have strengthened the fight against organised crime. In practice, it has only met with very moderate success. In October 1991, the Italian Government further strengthened the ability of the enforcement agencies to act against the Mafia. It still remains a serious problem.

The Yakuza of Japan date back to the 15^th century and originally operated within the military during the occupations of Manchuria and China but eventually moved into opium trafficking. Today they are involved in financial and commercial activities - both legal and illegal - and are easily noticeable by their use of S-Class Mercs, black suits, extensive tattoos and artificially shortened fingers. Like the Mafia they infiltrated Japanese civil society, politics and banking. Their activities are thought to have resulted in financial crises in Japan and Asia and it is rumoured that they even had a hand in the Kobe earthquake - although this is largely unsubstantiated; such is the myth that surrounds them. In the drugs market they are chemicals merchants. Speed, Meth and other amphetamine derivatives. Their control of the docks make exporting these drugs a formality. The major threat posed by the Yakuza in Europe is two fold. With their involvement in Japanese business and the increasing amount of Japanese investment in Europe their influence in the region must be here. How this allows money laundering through companies and drugs to enter the Union is the hidden side-effect. The significance in Yakuza is its expansion potential through these means.

Amongst the most impenetrable of criminal organisations are the Triads of Hong Kong and Taiwan. European Triad activity is possible where ever established Chinese communities reside. In this case obvious example are Amsterdam, London, Manchester and Glasgow. Heroin is the centre of business derived from the Golden Triangle in Southeast Asia; the proceeds from which are laundered through legitimate restaurants, clubs and other small businesses. The largest group, San Yee On, is Hong Kong based and some 35,000 strong. This group has begun to establish in London and with the Sui Fong represents the Triad drugs interest in the UK and thence Europe. The transcontinental nature of the Triads means that they are involved at every level of drug activity, from buying poppies, manufacturing opium and heroin, smuggling, and dealing. Their experience and involvement in the opium dens of the far east has not been lost as far as their operations in the Chinatowns of Europe are concerned. In London, drug smuggling is more a Triad activity, in particular heroin and opium from the Golden Triangle. Co-operation between the British, Dutch, Belgian and Luxembourg police forces has helped to identify many individuals involved in heroin trafficking in particular. In the Netherlands the Tai Huen Tsai contains a core group of former Red-Guard exiles, military trained men from the People's Republic of China. This gang had a monopoly on Dutch heroin trade, where it was involved in production and supply. It has branches, and therefore conducts this activity in Arnhem, Rotterdam, the Hague, Eindhoven and Leeuwarden. The main competition for the Triads comes from the Turkish clans who have increased their presence significantly in recent years and now control half the market at least.