Statement of Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer Before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism

The convergence of threats posed by these groups is significant and growing. Last year, t he National Intelligence Council issued an unclassified report identifying five key threats that transnational organized crime poses to United States national security:

1. Penetration of State Institutions . Transnational organized crime’s penetration of governments is subverting the rule of law, democratic institutions, and transparent business practices. The growing reach of transnational organized criminal networks is pushing them to seek strategic alliances with state leaders and foreign intelligence services, threatening stability and undermining free markets.
2. Threat to the U.S. and World Economy . Transnational organized crime is increasing its subversion of legitimate financial and commercial markets, threatening U.S. economic interests and raising the risk of significant damage to the world financial system.
3. Growing Cybercrime Threat . Transnational organized criminal networks are becoming increasingly involved in cybercrime, which costs consumers billions of dollars annually, creates risks to sensitive corporate and government computer networks, and undermines worldwide confidence in the international financial system.
4. Threatening Crime-Terror Nexus . Terrorists and insurgents are increasingly turning to crime to generate funding and acquire logistical support.
5. Expansion of Drug Trafficking . Despite demonstrable counterdrug successes in recent years, illicit drugs remain a serious threat to the health, safety, security, and financial well-being of U.S. citizens.