This paper is inspired by actual problems of suppression organized crime, which largely control the illegal market. Therefore, the aim of this paper to highlight the most important aspects of the investigation of illegal markets, whose knowledge enables the creation of effective strategic positions in the fight against various forms of organized crime. Modern criminal organizations are profitoriented and market-structured, and methods of operation used a combination of crime and methods of modern business organizations. In the paper, special attention was paid to the distinction between traditional and market-oriented property crime, the specific organization of illegal markets, the principles of operation of illegal markets, and basic elements for the analysis of illegal markets.