Mafia is the largest syndicate of organized crimes. It came into existence in Sicily in Italy, in the 13th century. Members of this organization do not obey any government laws. They have their own laws to solve any of the problems. This criminal society first came into existence to oppose the inhumanely deeds of land owners. Firstly, it became powerful in its own country but later on it spread all over the world. Italian Government tried many times to suppress this society but without any success. Mafia has been flourishing for hundreds of years and getting the justice in its own secret ways.
In those days, the corrupt government officials were frequently looked upon as the enemies of the poor. Mafia leaders took revenge on such persons. Sometimes they shared the booty stolen from the rich. Their method of justice was very complicated. The right to revenge wrong was reserved for victims and their families.
After the fall of the local Bourbon monarchy in 1860, the Italian Government tried to get rid of the Mafia, but by that time it was so ingrained in the social fabric of the island that complete elimination was difficult. In the early 1920s Mussolini’s Fascist regime came close to eliminating Mafia. But some 25 years later it became apparent that this sort of organized crime would never wholly disappear.
In 19th and 20th centuries some groups with Mafia individuals immigrated to USA from Italy. They occupied vital positions in the executive, judiciary and legislature of the United States. As a result in 1930s Mafia became an integral part of the crime network in the United States also. According to some authorities, it grew to be the largest and most powerful of the syndicated crime organizations. It consists of some 3000 – 5000 individuals in 25 families operating under “The commission” with an annual turnover of US $ 200 billion in gambling, protection racket, boot-legging, hijacking, narcotics etc. The head of one family was called ‘Boss’ or ‘Don’.
All over the world, new laws were brought to combat their activities. The extradition treaty among the countries and Interpol agencies are the most effective weapons to curb the mafia activities.
