High-Level Political Corruption, Crime, and Drug Trafficking

"The Cosa Nostra and ‘Ndrangheta have long benefited from high-level political connections in Italy.⁷⁷ In a similar way, some Mexican drug cartels allegedly benefited from protection from local police and local politicians.⁷⁸ In Guinea Bissau, international drug traffickers counted on the support of
influential segments within the political and military apparatus for a number of years.⁷⁹

"This kind of activity is often called high-level corruption. It involves a small number of senior officials in the government, police, customs or the justice system being targeted in a business transaction with bribes in exchange for either passive or active support facilitating illegal activities. In several cases high-level corruption has posed a threat to the State. Organized criminal groups have attempted to influence the outcome of democratic processes; for example, by funding election campaigns in favour of specific candidates or political parties through “vote buying”, intimidation or corrupting participants in the political process. Moreover, a corrupted judicial system and a lack of prison governance results in relative impunity."