Illicit trade's ancestor, smuggling, traces back to ancient times, and many a "thieves' market" survives in the world's commercial hubs.

NPR: Tracking the World's Black Market: 'Illicit'

Will you say that living in a world where individuals not only want to protect their property from thieves, but also from the environment (such as fires), is a lesser value than the destruction of it (the purpose of firefighters)?

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The grrrls were sad, though, since a crew of thieves had stolen all the equipment set up at CES for the elite and much-anticipated World Series of Video Games event scheduled for this week.

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