From Hong Kong to Sicily, this riveting set investigates five of the world’s most notorious crime syndicates. The World History of Organized Crime travels the globe to gain insight into some of the most active, dangerous, and nefarious criminal groups in existence. Focusing on different regions, the five episodes examine the conditions that helped create these groups, discuss how to combat them with law enforcement experts, and tell the true stories of high-profile cases.
Sicily: The people of Sicily have been under foreign occupation for a long time, cultivating a culture of self-reliance, honor and distrust of authority. Thus, at the end of the 19th century, La Cosa Nostra was born and was able to control its country, which remained largely undisturbed until the late 1980s. That’s when Judge Giovanni Falcone began prosecuting and convicting her with the help of Tommaso Buscetta’s testimony.
Russia: After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia transitioned to a free market economy and opened its doors to the Red Mafia, which controls about 40% of the country’s economy. One of the most fearsome, violent, creative and well-trained criminal organizations in the world, the Red Mafia has been difficult to locate and take down.
China: This show explores the mysterious history of the Triads, their traditions, their influence in the Americas, and their main export – human cargo.
INDIA: Mumbai-based “Bollywood” is one of the most productive and profitable film industries in the world. Unfortunately, it was also targeted by the underground thugs who had previously aided the industry when the government refused to help them fund it. The show also explores the roots of the mob, tracing them back to the “thugs” of the 19th century.
Colombia: The show focuses specifically on the cartels and Pablo Escobar, and explains how Colombia’s most lucrative export — cocaine — turned it into a violent and corrupt country. Using narco-terrorism and bribery, the cartel quickly took control of Colombia, but even its dissolution did not end the seemingly unstoppable flow of drugs.
