But just as increased security efforts elsewhere shifted patterns of illegal migration to Douglas, these patterns have more recently shifted again to desert regions beyond the extended walls, where flimsy barbed-wire fencing separates the two countries.
The lower echelons of Australian football, for instance, proved an open goal for fixers because the standard is low – along with players' wages – and yet it attracts extraordinary interest from China, where gambling is illegal and betting patterns can't be tracked.
Harshbarger's report to Acorn found no "pattern of illegal conduct" by its employees.
"The reported allegations against News Corp are very serious, indicate a pattern of illegal activity and involve thousands of potential victims.
Her opponent in the Senate race, Rick A. Lazio, said use of the list was illegal and fit a pattern of impropriety.
How has News Corp reacted to the claims that this devastating pattern of illegal behaviour was commissioned and paid for by the company's employees?
Kara Brockmeyer, of the SEC enforcement division, said: "Hewlett-Packard lacked the internal controls to stop a pattern of illegal payments to win business in Mexico and Eastern Europe.
Mr. Bergstein described any attempt by the guilds to question the possible Miramax sale as belonging to a pattern of illegal interference with his business.
The document, a warning that investigators would recommend that the agency pursue civil charges, outlined a pattern of illegal trading in the California and Michigan electricity markets.
The statute was enacted 30 years ago to fight organized crime, although federal prosecutors have more recently used it against businesses and others it contends have engaged in a pattern of illegal acts.
