DATE=6/17/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-234108
TITLE=RUSSIAN MAFIA / LATAM (L-O)
BYLINE=RICK NUNEZ
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  A FORMER U-S LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL IS WARNING THAT 
RUSSIA'S POWERFUL ORGANIZED CRIME NETWORKS HAVE BEGUN PENETRATING
COUNTRIES IN LATIN AMERICA.  AS WE HEAR FROM V-O-A'S RICK NUNEZ, 
THE RETIRED FEDERAL AGENT SAYS THE RUSSIAN MAFIA POSES A SERIOUS 
THREAT TO THE REGION.

TEXT:  ROBERT LEVINSON CONSIDERS THE RUSSIAN MOB A DANGEROUS 
CRIME SYNDICATE THAT OPERATES WITHOUT REGARD TO NATIONAL BORDERS.
HE SPOKE WEDNESDAY AT A WASHINGTON LUNCHEON SPONSORED BY THE 
"INTERNATIONAL ANTI-CORRUPTION FORUM."

MR. LEVINSON SAYS THE GANGSTERS VIEW LATIN AMERICA AS FERTILE 
GROUND FOR TWO CRIMINAL OPERATIONS:

                       // LEVINSON ACT //

         ONE IS TO LAUNDER THE PROCEEDS OF ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES 
         SUCH AS DRUG TRAFFICKING, EXTORTION AND ARMS 
         TRAFFICKING.  THE SECOND IS TO SET UP SOURCES OF SUPPLY 
         FOR COCAINE. 

                          // END ACT //

MR. LEVINSON SAYS THE REGION ALSO APPEALS TO THE RUSSIAN MAFIA 
BECAUSE FALSE PASSPORTS, VISAS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS ARE EASY TO 
OBTAIN.

ACCORDING TO THE ANALYST, TOP CRIME BOSSES FROM RUSSIA HAVE 
ALREADY SET UP SHOP IN ARGENTINA, COLOMBIA, COSTA RICA, PANAMA 
AND PERU.

THE MAFIA CONCEALS ITS ACTIVITIES BEHIND A NUMBER OF FRONT 
OPERATIONS, INCLUDING BANKS, HOTELS, CASINOS, AND INVESTMENT 
FIRMS.  

MR. LEVINSON SPENT 28 YEARS FIGHTING ORGANIZED CRIME AS AN AGENT 
WITH THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION AND THE (U-S) DRUG 
ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION.  HE NOW HEADS A CONSULTING FIRM BASED
IN MIAMI.

THE RETIRED LAWMAN SAYS THE RUSSIAN MOB WORKS ON AN ENTIRELY 
DIFFERENT LEVEL THAN THE ITALIAN MAFIA:

                       // LEVINSON ACT //

         WHEN I WAS WORKING AGAINST THE ITALIANS, WE WOULD SEE 
         EXTORTIONS OF UP TO 30-THOUSAND DOLLARS.  WITH THE 
         RUSSIANS, THE SCALE IS (MORE THAN) 10 TIMES THAT:  
         BETWEEN 500-THOUSAND AND ONE-MILLION DOLLARS.

                          // END ACT //

ROBERT LEVINSON ADDS THAT SINCE RUSSIAN MOBSTERS HAVE ACCESS TO 
EXTREMELY LARGE SUMS OF MONEY, THEY AIM HIGH IN THEIR EFFORTS TO 
CORRUPT GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.  THE MAFIA, HE SAYS, HAS BEEN KNOWN
TO ENTER EVEN PRESIDENTIAL CIRCLES IN ITS DRIVE FOR INFLUENCE. HE
DECLINED TO ELABORATE.  (SIGNED)

NEB/RAN/RRM   

17-Jun-98 5:49 PM EDT (2149 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.