Ep 5. Oceans of Crime

In this episode of CNBC Originals season 3, viewers are taken on a journey through the world's oceans to explore the rising threat of maritime crime. The episode, titled "Oceans of Crime," delves into the dangerous and sophisticated criminal networks that operate on the high seas, where illegal activities such as piracy, drug trafficking and human smuggling are thriving.

As the global demand for goods increases, commercial shipping is becoming more important than ever before, with over 80% of international trade being transported by sea. However, with the growing importance of maritime trade comes a growing threat to the safety and security of ships and their crews. Criminal gangs are exploiting the vast expanse of international waters, using high-tech equipment and sometimes even military-grade weapons to carry out their nefarious activities.

The program begins by introducing viewers to the scale of the problem, showing how the oceans are being used by criminals to transport everything from drugs to weapons to people. The program also highlights the high level of sophistication these criminals bring to their operations, sometimes using encrypted communication tools and other advanced techniques to stay one step ahead of law enforcement and other authorities.

As the episode tells the stories of different types of maritime crime, viewers will see how pirates and other criminals are able to operate with relative impunity in many parts of the world. For example, the show examines how the waters off the coast of Somalia have become a hotbed of pirate activity, with dozens of attacks taking place every year. The show details how pirates have forced up the cost of shipping in the region by demanding ransoms for hijacked vessels, and how international navies are struggling to provide security in the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean.

In addition to pirates and other criminal gangs, viewers will learn about the challenges posed by corrupt officials and criminal networks that are involved in the smuggling of arms and drugs. The show explains how these types of operations can be extremely lucrative, with the profits from one shipment of illegal goods often being enough to fund several more.

Despite the challenges posed by maritime crime, the episode also showcases the efforts being made by law enforcement organizations and other groups to combat these activities. The show features interviews with experts who are working to develop new strategies for tackling the problem, and it highlights some of the technological advancements that are being made in this area. For instance, viewers will see how advanced satellites and other surveillance technologies are being used to monitor the world's oceans in real-time, helping authorities to identify and track criminal activities.

Overall, "Oceans of Crime" provides a thought-provoking look at one of the least-understood areas of criminal activity, shedding light on the complex and often-hidden world of maritime crime. Through interviews with experts and those working on the front lines of the issue, the episode provides a nuanced and balanced view of the challenges posed by this growing threat, exploring both the negative impacts of maritime crime and the potential solutions that are being explored by those dedicated to addressing the problem.