Transnational crime has been rising steadily as the world transitions more and more towards globalization. The term "transnational" refers to crimes that are not only international (crimes that cross borders between countries), but crimes that by their nature encompass cross-border transference as a crucial part of the criminal activity. As a result of globalization, there has been an increased amount of organized crime moving across international borders, and no longer is it simply a national concern, but a global one, as it affects people all over the world, and not those of a single state. Examples of transnational crimes include: human trafficking, people smuggling, smuggling/trafficking of goods (such as weapons, drugs, illegal animal and plant products and other goods prohibited on environmental grounds), sex slavery, terrorism offences, and torture. .
Through the rise of globalization, it has become easier for criminal enterprises to move across borders in pursuit of illicit trades, while connecting with other crime syndicates across the globe. Through the limitless profits earned through the global crime trade, these syndicates of crime have been known to corrupt government agencies and state officials through either bribes or threats of violence; hence corrupting the state in their favor. The World Bank estimate that approximately $1 trillion is spent annually on bribing public officials. Transnational crime is one of the most important global security threats of the 21st century because of its ability to infiltrate government agencies, smuggle illicit goods in the pursuit of vast amounts of capital, the funding of terrorist organizations, as well as the political instability created.
Political Instability.
Crime syndicates with global networks, such as the Zemun Clan in Serbia, profited by kidnappings, contract killings and extortion, but mostly through drug trafficking; their networks spread from Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Kosovo and to much of Western Europe.