A criminal organization is a group that engages in illegal activities, including but not limited to drug trafficking, money laundering, extortion, and racketeering. It is illegal to be a member of a criminal organization, and law enforcement agencies around the world work tirelessly to dismantle these groups. Synonyms for the term 'criminal organization' include organized crime syndicate, criminal enterprise, syndicate, crime ring, mafia, gang, and cartels. These groups operate in a highly organized manner, often spanning multiple countries and utilizing sophisticated methods to hide their illegal activities. The use of encryption and other secure communication technologies has made it increasingly difficult for law enforcement to monitor and apprehend these groups.