These court appearances are rare because 'the information they provide is used to obtain a warrant or they are 'cut away' after providing an introduction for a sworn agent.' Marx (1988:153) points out that informers are often unchallenged because they rarely appear in court. Because of their protected status, the information they provide and techniques they use to gather information are rarely challenged. Other informers may become overzealous 'supercops' and create criminals, using prohibited methods. For example, informers might provide false information in order to receive payments or to punish competitors or enemies (Marx, 1988:152). Undercover work is dangerous-the danger appears to increase in proportion to the severity of sentences targets of such operations stand to serve-and open to manipulation (Beare, 1996:190-191).

Sting operations of this type sometimes produce many convictions, but may be costly, involving many officers over a considerable period of time (Albanese, 1996:181). The goal of such operations is to gain the confidence of the criminal organization toward the end of learning more about its personnel and operations. These storefronts are staffed by individuals knowledgeable about financial transactions and laundering. Proceeds of crime and money laundering investigations, for example, often require sophisticated undercover work involving the establishment of elaborate storefront money laundering operations.

Undercover work may involve one or more of: informants, who are usually suspects who have 'flipped' and are exchanging information for consideration in terms of charges or at sentencing paid agents, who are insiders receiving cash for information or, undercover officers, who are police officers trying to infiltrate criminal organizations or obtain information about their operations (Beare, 1996:189). ORGANIZED CRIME CONTROL STRATEGIES AND THEIR EFFECTIVENESS (cont'd) 4.13 Undercover Operations and Informants 4.18 Legalization or Decriminalization of Certain Goods and ServicesĤ.4.17 Increasing Regulation and Establishing Public Benefits Corporations.4.16 Reducing the Supply of Illegal Goods and Services.4.13 Undercover Operations and Information.Organized Crime Control Strategies and Their Effectivness (cont'd) Assessing the Effectiveness of Organized Crime Control Strategies: A Review of the LiteratureĤ.

Undercover police cars pictures