The Index

Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime
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The Index is a podcast based around the Global Organized Crime Index, an online tool that ranks levels of criminality and resilience in 193 countries. From drug trafficking and mafia-style crimes to criminal justice and security – In this series we’ll take a deep dive into the Global Organized Crime Index with leading experts and look at some of the biggest organized crime threats facing countries and regions around the world. The Index was nominated for 'Best Video Podcast' at the 2024 Publishers Podcast Awards. Disclaimer: This series was funded in part by a grant from the United States Department of State. The opinions, findings and conclusions stated herein are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of State.

  1. 12/22/2025

    China’s Mafia Fight for Italy’s Fast Fashion

    A deadly turf war is unfolding inside Italy’s fast fashion supply chain. In April 2025, Chinese gangster Zhang Dayong was shot dead in Rome, an alleged professional hit linked by investigators to rival syndicates battling for control of logistics, transport, and even clothes hangers. Because in an industry that moves millions of units, shaving a few cents per piece translates into massive profits and power. Senior Analyst Ruggero Scaturro (Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime) explains how Chinese criminal networks built near monopolies over road transport and warehousing, the landmark “China Truck” operation led from Florence, and why these groups are now recognized in Italy as mafia-style organizations. We explore their role in counterfeit goods, informal banking, intimidation, and how they cooperate functionally with Italian mafias like the ’Ndrangheta and Camorra. The episode also looks at the epicenter around Prato, the challenges of infiltration and interpretation, and what rising violence says about who really controls Europe’s fast fashion backbone. Chapters 00:00:00 - Italy’s “War of Hangers” 00:00:32 - The hanger market: economics, logistics monopoly, rising violence 00:02:31 - What “War of Hangers” means in the fast-fashion ecosystem 00:03:02 - The Dayong shooting and the Zhang Naizhong case 00:03:33 - Operation “China Truck”: transport monopoly and mafia-style structure 00:04:45 - Foreign criminal actors in Italy 00:09:00 - Counterfeit markets in Italy: scope and impact 00:12:26 - How Chinese criminals gain control Guest: Ruggiero Scaturro, Senior Analyst, Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime Host: Thin Lei Win Learn more: Global Organized Crime Index — ocindex.net Subscribe for more analysis on global organized crime trends.

    14 min

  2. 09/18/2025

    How cocaine is driving deforestation in the Amazon | The Index Podcast

    Criminal groups that once focused primarily on the cocaine trade are now diversifying into illegal gold mining, logging, and the wildlife trade - activities that are devastating the environment. The Amazon’s tri-border region (where Brazil, Colombia, and Peru meet) has become a hotbed for trafficking. The neighboring cities of Leticia and Tabatinga lie at its center, caught in a violent turf war between Brazil’s two largest criminal organizations: the Red Command and the PCC. Both are vying for control of the Amazon’s highly profitable illicit markets. Speaker: Gabriel Funari, Amazon Basin Coordinator at GI-TOC Host: Thin Lei Win, Investigative Journalist and Podcast Host 👉 Learn more: ocindex.net 📖 Read the report: globalinitiative.net/analysis/illicit-frontiers-criminal-governance-in-the-amazons-tri-border-region

    18 min
  3. The Truth Behind Nairobi's Hired Gangs | The Index Podcast

    08/21/2025

    The Truth Behind Nairobi's Hired Gangs | The Index Podcast

    Organized criminal gangs were deployed by politicians to counter peaceful protests in Nairobi in June, triggering worries of violence in Kenya ahead of the 2027 general elections. On June 25, gangs unleashed terror on people, who took to the streets in a peaceful march to commemorate the lives of 60 people who were killed one year earlier, in a historic Gen Z uprising against punitive taxes. Just a week earlier, on June 18, gangs had also violently confronted protesters demanding justice for Alfred Ojwang, a 31-year-old teacher and political blogger who died in police custody. While mainstream media calls them "hired goons", evidence shows these were organised gangs, funded and protected by powerful politicians to silence dissent. We speak to Ken Opala, who went out and talked to police, gang members, and security officials about what happened - and who was really behind it. Check out Ken's article: Ghosts of violence past: Hired gangs unleashed on demonstrators in Nairobi Learn more about criminality in Kenya on the Global Organized Crime Index. Hosted by Thin Lei Win.

    15 min

  4. 08/06/2025

    The Arrest of Celso Gamboa Sanchez: What's going on in Costa Rica? | The Index Podcast

    Celso Gamboa Sanchez, a former security minister and judge from Costa Rica, was arrested in June 2025 on international drug-trafficking charges. He denies the allegations. What makes the arrest interesting is that the federal indictment filed by the US included a request for his extradition. This is something which was only made possible in May 2025 when Costa Rica's constitution was amended so that nationals could be extradited to the US (or other countries with bilateral agreements) on in international drug trafficking and terrorism charges. Costa Rica has long been seen as one of the more "stable" countries in Costa Rica. But that image is beginning to change. In 2023 the country fell into the "high criminality" category on the Organized Crime Index, after having previously been considered "low criminality" in 2021. We explore how criminality is changing in the country, and what is being done about it. 🎙 Featuring Mauricio Vieria, Chair on Countering Illicit Trade and Preventing Transnational Organized Crime, University for Peace 🎤 Hosted by Thin Lei Win 🔗 Learn more at ocindex.net

    18 min

  5. 07/22/2025

    Cyber scams, tax evasion, and billion-dollar embezzlement: Financial Crimes in the Mekong | The Index Podcast

    Since the Covid-19 pandemic, cyber scams have surged across the Mekong region. Abandoned casinos and hotels have been turned into “scam compounds” serving as bases for romance scams, fake call centres, Ponzi schemes, and voice-phishing operations. These schemes have tricked hundreds of people to transfer money into mule accounts. But the problem goes far deeper. Criminal networks are profiting from tax evasion, smuggling, and large-scale embezzlement. In 2024, Vietnamese billionaire Truong My Lan was sentenced to death (since converted to life in prison) for embezzling $12 billion from the Saigon Commercial Bank. But what’s driving the rise in financial crime across Southeast Asia? And what connects these cases? 🎙 Featuring BC Tan, Managing Director and Head of Investigations for Southeast Asia at Kroll 🎤 Hosted by Thin Lei Win 🔗 Learn more at ocindex.net This podcast has been funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The views expressed in this publication are the author's alone and are not necessarily the views of the Australian Government.

    19 min
  6. Season 2! Underworlds with Mark Shaw - Underworlds with Mark Shaw

    TRAILER

    Season 2! Underworlds with Mark Shaw - Underworlds with Mark Shaw

    Underworlds with Mark Shaw is returning for another season. Mark sits down with authors to discuss their investigations into the murky world of organized crime. In season two, we hear about a range of stories such as money laundering and cryptocurrency; the 'Ndrangheta's expansion from Calabria, Italy to other countries of Europe. Also the story of a leading South African police officer, who was tasked with investigating the Italian mafia in South Africa by Nelson Mandela. A fascinating story about one of the largest frauds in the history of the maritime industry. The growth and evolution of ransomware market, and finally a history of modern Russia told through the stories of four very different criminals. The series is hosted by Mark Shaw, the Director of the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime. Mark is also an author of a number of books on organized crime in South Africa. ==================================================== 📱 Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@UCP-lqJdhM-9iDKkswuVcXZA 🌎 VISIT US! Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime - https://globalinitiative.net/ 🎧WHY NOT TRY OUR OTHER PODCASTS: 🎧Deep Dive: Exploring Organized Crime - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXSX1Xu1kM0spSX0QUq7j0NmIZOqyDTZQ 🎧The Index - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXSX1Xu1kM0uc_4CftGl8PrwHA3IK5WeI =================================================== FOLLOW US X - @gitoc LinkedIn - @Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime IG - @gi_toc ===================================================

    2 min

  7. 06/12/2025

    Arms Trafficking in Pakistan | The Index Podcast

    Millions of unregistered firearms, surging drug addiction, and cross-border trafficking have turned Pakistan into a hotspot for organized crime. Corruption and economic instability have allowed illicit markets — from heroin to weapons — to flourish. Terrorist groups like the Tehrik-e-Taliban are thriving in this landscape, carrying out deadly attacks and deepening insecurity. And in the midst of this unrest, a suicide bombing in Pahalgam that killed 26 Indian tourists has reignited military tensions with India — adding fuel to the long-standing conflict over Indian-administered Kashmir. According to the OC Index, arms trafficking in Pakistan is only getting worse - the criminal market scored 8.5 out of 10 in 2023, an increase of 0.5 from 2021 – placing it alongside the likes of Russia, Mexico, Turkey and others. Presenter: Thin Lei Win Speaker(s): Paddy Ginn, Senior Analyst, Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime Links: Pakistan Country Profile The Global Organized Crime Index

    24 min
  8. Who is making Russia's drones? The migrant women exploited for Russia's war economy | The Index Podcast

    05/13/2025

    Who is making Russia's drones? The migrant women exploited for Russia's war economy | The Index Podcast

    The full-scale war in Ukraine has been raging for three years now. One of the defining military developments during this conflict has been the use of drones. And both sides have utilised them with devastating effect. These include the small drone operators dropping bombs on unsuspecting troops to the Iranian-designed Shahed kamikaze drones smashing into residential buildings in Ukrainian cities. In Russia, where many people have been drafted into the military, the country has seen a labour shortage in key industries that support its war machine. One such industry is the manufacture of Shahed drones, which are now built in Russia. In 2023, reports about the people building these drones emerged, first in the Russian media, and then in an investigation by the Associated Press. The AP investigation revealed that Russian drone manufacturers had been falsely recruiting young women from a number of African countries, such as Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, South Sudan, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria – to work in a drone factory located in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Russia’s Tatarstan. The young women applied through an online advertisement called ‘Alabuga Start’, which falsely advertised a work-study program in industries like catering or hospitality and offered free plane tickets and money. But the workers are unaware of the reality where they were put to work in factories building drones that would be launched against Ukraine. According to the Global Organized Crime Index – labour exploitation and false recruitment practices fall under human trafficking, as it involves “a form of coercion, deception, abduction or fraud” – and Eastern Africa leads globally for the most pervasive human trafficking market (with a score of 7.78 out of 10). 6 out of the 9 countries in the region, roughly 67%, score eight or higher for Human Trafficking and is only equalled in the region by arms trafficking. Russia itself has relatively high levels as well, at 7.5 out of 10. This episode will address concerns around the example of Alabuga Start and whether or not it is an example of human trafficking. Presenter: Thin Lei Win Speaker(s): Julia Stanyard, Senior Analyst, Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime Links Paper - Who is making Russia's drones? The migrant women exploited for Russia's war economy Russia Country Profile Ukraine Country Profile South Africa Country Profile Uganda Country Profile Kenya Country Profile Rwanda Country Profile South Sudan Country Profile Nigeria Country Profile Sierra Leone Country Profile The...

    20 min
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Trailers

About

The Index is a podcast based around the Global Organized Crime Index, an online tool that ranks levels of criminality and resilience in 193 countries. From drug trafficking and mafia-style crimes to criminal justice and security – In this series we’ll take a deep dive into the Global Organized Crime Index with leading experts and look at some of the biggest organized crime threats facing countries and regions around the world. The Index was nominated for 'Best Video Podcast' at the 2024 Publishers Podcast Awards. Disclaimer: This series was funded in part by a grant from the United States Department of State. The opinions, findings and conclusions stated herein are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of State.

Information

  • Creator
    Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    43
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime
  • Show Website
    The Index