criminal enterprise

A criminal enterprise is an organized group or network that engages in ongoing illegal activities for profit. These organizations often operate systematically, involving multiple members or hierarchies, and may participate in crimes such as drug trafficking, extortion, fraud, or money laundering. Their goal is to generate financial gains while often avoiding law enforcement detection. Criminal enterprises can range from small, localized groups to large, sophisticated organizations with extensive resources. Understanding them requires recognizing their structured nature and the persistent, coordinated efforts they make to conduct illegal operations.