The stunning shut down of the United States Government in recent days, and the impact it had on life in America, and indeed in other parts of the world, captured the attention of just about everyone, since that nation is considered the power house of global democracy and freedom.The shut down, mainly a result of the US Congress failing to reach agreement on a Bill that included the ObamaCare health scheme, which Republicans found unacceptable, even though it was previously sanctioned by the US Supreme Court as law.This political impasse ignited bitter political exchanges, with most Democrats accusing the GOP of simply trying to hurt the President as much as possible, with no regard for the American people.Of course the Republicans lost no time in accusing the Democrats of refusing to negotiate a solution, and placed the blame of the shut down on them.While news outlets focused heavily on this event, some significant stories involving the world today, and how modern technology is being used by the good, the bad, and the ugly did not get the attention they deserved.Fighting crime around the world has taken on new dimensions as devious criminals use modern technology to establish links through cyberspace, to conduct online crime activity in a manner that made it almost impossible for law officials to trace the principle source masterminding a major project.Recently it was revealed that the US Federal Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement officials, had cracked a highly sophisticated online operation, that actually marketed illegal drugs, various types of weapons along with contacts for professional hit men.Apparently it took the FBI and law officials two years to penetrate the underworld of cyber space business, and shut the system down.The amazing part about this, is that such an operation could exist beneath police radar for so long. One has to remember that criminals never take a holiday, and so as one method fails, they quickly seek new ways to conduct their illicit activity.Here in Bermuda, illegal drug importation has involved just about every possible method, and as Police and Customs catch offenders who are placed before the courts, often with successful convictions, and lengthy sentences — the trade continues with many prepared to take the risk for financial gain.Even as most people sleep, the underworld is seeking new methods to by -pass authorities in order to keep the business thriving.Although many families throughout Bermuda have been shattered as a result of illegal drug activity, the Police still have a difficult time trying to get the public to cooperate fully, firstly by not being a customer, and to assist where ever possible, in trying to halt this deadly trade which is also thought to be a key component behind gang activity.It is encouraging to know the Police are seeking to expand camera surveillance throughout Bermuda, to assist in keeping the public safe. It would be wrong to adopt a state of denial that modern technology is being used in attempts to avoid detection by a new breed of criminal activity.It is a grim reality that much of the free world is confronted with. In London and in many cities around the world, hundreds of cameras are keeping officials better informed about any suspicious activity as law abiding citizens go about their business.The price of lowering ones guard is too high, which may have been the case in the Kenya Mall tragedy.Our economic situation in Bermuda is serious, but equally serious is the new age of technology and the struggle for law enforcement to keep a step ahead of the underworld, and that will be a never ending challenge.With better education about drugs, and more support from the public, we just might win that battle.