Legal Definitions - gangster

A gangster is an individual who is a member of a criminal organization or group that systematically engages in illegal activities. These groups often operate with a defined structure and may be involved in various unlawful enterprises.

Here are some examples to illustrate this term:

• Imagine a person who is part of a large, structured criminal organization that controls the distribution of illegal narcotics across several cities. This individual might be responsible for managing a specific territory, overseeing drug sales, and ensuring that profits are funneled back to the organization's leaders. This person would be considered a gangster because they are an active member of an organized-crime syndicate involved in systematic illegal activities.

• Consider an individual who regularly visits local businesses, demanding "protection money" from their owners. If the owners refuse to pay, this individual, acting on behalf of a larger criminal group, might threaten to damage their property or harm their employees. This person is a gangster because they are a member of a criminal gang engaged in the systematic illegal activity of extortion.

• Picture someone who works within an underground gambling operation, ensuring that players pay their debts and that the games run according to the rules set by the organization. This person might also be involved in recruiting new members or expanding the operation's reach. This individual is a gangster as they are a member of an organized-crime syndicate participating in systematic illegal gambling activities.