Fighting organized crime is in the best interests of everybody and after all, for politicians, less crime will make your electorate happier.
On the other hand, countries have been wildly unsuccessful in getting rid of it. For example, see the FBI report on Italian organized crime:
We estimate the four groups have approximately 25,000 members total, with 250,000 affiliates worldwide. There are more than 3,000 members and affiliates in the U.S., scattered mostly throughout the major cities in the Northeast, the Midwest, California, and the South. Their largest presence centers around New York, southern New Jersey, and Philadelphia.
Given that we have been battling organized crime for almost 100 years now, it seems odd that crime is prospering instead of shrinking.
I understand that there are law enforcement issues, that it is a tough job, etc. But this question is not about that.
Is there a lack of political efficacy - if not political will - in solving this issue once and for all? What are the real challenges politicians face? Fear of retribution? Corruption? Plain incompetence?
What is (politically) preventing this issue from being solved?