Organized crime is an ongoing coordinated criminal operation that systematically seeks to profit from unlawful activities that are high in demand. The continuing existence of organized crime is supported through corrupt officials who protect the operations. See the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice and this White House archive to learn more about how the United States government is combating organized crime.
See also: this Cambridge University Press summary on Transnational Organized Crime
[Last updated in July of 2024 by the Wex Definitions Team]