Organized criminal networks have now established links in the international energy market and have targeted the international financial system by injecting billions of illicit funds to try to corrupt financial service providers, says US Attorney General Michael Mukasey.

In his speech this week to the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, Mukasey said the US Government had identified several threats including penetration of the energy market and other strategic sectors of the US and world economy, providing logistical and other support to terrorists, foreign intelligence services and foreign governments, trafficking in people and contraband goods, exploiting the US and international financial system to move illegal profits and funds. targeting victims and infrastructure through cyberspace, manipulating securities exchanges and engaging in sophisticated fraud schemes, and corrupting public officials around the world.

Few details have been given about specific cases.

But it's all part of a a new federal strategy in the fight against international organized crime, which includes gathering information from all available sources. And with the Bush administration's plans to increase surveillance of Americans, it's a worry.