As organized shoplifting costs the industry an estimated $30 billion a year and the involved crime rings are becoming more sophisticated, the FBI and retailers have joined together to support the Law Enforcement Retail Partnership Network, or LERPnet.

When the writers of “The Sopranos” needed inspiration, all they had to do was look to New York’s Cosa Nostra – the Five Families. From Charles “Lucky” Luciano, father of modern organized crime, to Junior Gotti who’s trying to shake off his notorious mob ties, here’s a snapshot of the Families – and the faces – that … THE REAL “SOPRANOS”: NEW YORK’S FIVE FAMILIES

An Azeri news site reported an interesting drug trafficking route: Iran – Azerbaijan – Russia – Japan. Pity the whole route is not more accurately described.

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands: The extortion trial of an alleged Amsterdam underworld figure was moved to a new venue Monday after explosions damaged the top-security court building where the case had been due to start. Security shutters were damaged and windows smashed in the explosions at 3 a.m. (0200 GMT) but there were no injuries, according to … ORGANIZED CRIME TRIAL MOVED AFTER SMALL EXPLOSIONS DAMAGE AMSTERDAM COURT BUILDING