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Organized Crime: Gangs, Mules, Street-Level Dealers

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Department of ABC, University of DEF – Whitewater

ABC 101: Course Name

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Organized Crime: Gangs. Mules, Street-Level Dealers

Street-level dealers are best defined as small-time criminals who distribute the product in

various locations. Mules, on the other hand, are couriers who smuggle contraband across

international or state boundaries. While neither of these commands a crime operation like the

kingpin, their impact is felt mainly in the communities they operate in. 

For instance, young community members are lured into the criminal life by peers who

had initially joined crime either as runners, mules, or street-level dealers. Ultimately, this leads to

a larger number of criminals. Equally, the general level of crime rises as more distributors in an

area implies more product distribution (Sheldon, Tracy & Brown., 2013), which translates to

many consumers. The availability of “the product’ curtails the usage of most drug users; the

growing presence of dealers within reach has led to a more significant number of drug users,

addicts, and a general rise in crime as they all try to maintain their lifestyles (Franzese, Robert,

Herbert, et al., 2016). In addition, street gangs’ crop in various regions, with each group striving

to protect their territories and assert dominance.

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According to the US Department of Justice (2021), the primary distribution of drugs is

done by motorcycle, street, and prison gangs. The drug empire is a huge connection of networks

that includes, producers, packagers, distributors, launderers, and many more players. As such, it

is easier for gangs to run the operation as they already have most of these players working for

them in other ventures. On top of that, proceeds from drug sales and other illegal activities are

not legal and will be flagged by the IRS, a caveat that forces all players in the drug business to

always launder the proceeds through intimidated small business owners and their legit

businesses. In conclusion, street-level dealers and mules harm the level of crime in their

communities as they entice more youth to join in crime, distribute drugs raising insecurity and

leading to the creation of gangs.

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References

Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs. (2021) Drugs and Gangs Fast Facts.

https://www.justice.gov/archive/ndic/pubs11/13157/13157p.pdf

Franzese, Robert J., Herbert C. Covey, and Scott Menard. (2016) Youth gangs. Charles C

Thomas Publishers.

Sheldon., R., Tracy, S., & Brown, W. (2013). Youth gangs in American society (4th ed.).

Cengage Learning. ISBN 9781133049562