What term describes organized groups that regulate relations among criminal enterprises?

The term "organized crime" refers to structured groups that engage in illegal activities on a sizeable scale, with the purpose of generating profits while also regulating their interactions and transactions with other criminal organizations. These groups often operate in a hierarchical manner and are involved in a variety of criminal enterprises such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, extortion, and money laundering.

Organized crime is characterized by its systematic nature and the cooperation among members to engage in illicit activities over long periods. This type of crime is typically more sophisticated and requires a considerable degree of planning, coordination, and secrecy compared to other forms of criminal activity. The regulatory role these groups play in navigating relations among various criminal enterprises is crucial for their operation, as it allows them to establish rules, settle disputes, and protect their interests within the illegal market.

While terms like "street gangs," "criminal syndicates," and "underworld organizations" relate to specific aspects of organized crime, they do not fully encompass the broad and systemic nature of organized crime as a whole. Street gangs usually refer to smaller, localized groups focused on neighborhood dominance rather than broader criminal operations. Criminal syndicates might be thought of as subsets within organized crime, often linked by specific illicit activities, while underworld organizations suggest a level of