21 U.S.C. Sec. 848 is a law that establishes the criminal enterprise statute, also known as the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. This law makes it illegal for individuals to participate in a continuing criminal enterprise, which is defined as a group of individuals engaging in a pattern of racketeering activity (e.g., bribery, fraud, money laundering, extortion, etc.) in order to obtain a substantial portion of the proceeds from the criminal enterprise. There are three types of continuing criminal enterprises: (1) the Upper-Level Enterprise, in which a person or group of persons is involved in a pattern of racketeering activity that affects interstate or foreign commerce; (2) the Lower-Level Enterprise, which is a lesser pattern of racketeering activity that affects interstate or foreign commerce; and (3) the Narcotic Enterprise, which is a pattern of racketeering activity involving the sale or distribution of controlled substances. Under 21 U.S.C. Sec. 848, any individual who knowingly participates in a continuing criminal enterprise can be charged with a felony and face a prison sentence of up to 20 years.