Europe’s cocaine crisis has deepened dramatically over the past decade, with seizures rising more than fivefold as Latin American cartels establish a strong foothold across the continent. A major investigation traces the surge to growing collaboration between international criminal networks and local organised crime groups, now operating in at least a dozen countries. Police and intelligence sources confirm the expansion of factions from Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, Venezuela, Mexico, and the US, alongside a sharp increase in domestic labs producing cocaine derivatives. The findings highlight a continent-wide shift in drug trafficking dynamics, with law enforcement struggling to keep pace.
Cocaine seizures in Europe are up more than fivefold in 10 years as a host of cartels take root. A four-month Guardian investigation reveals the true scale of a continent-wide shiftA four-month investigation by the Guardian has revealed that the surge in cocaine trafficking to Europe is directly linked to the expanding presence of Latin American criminal networks in Europe, where they have forged close ties with local mafia organisations.The investigation, utilising databases, police and intelligence agencies, along with interviews with judges, prosecutors and experts from eight countries, shows that cartels and factions from Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, Venezuela, Mexico and the US are active in at least 12 European countries. Between 2014 and 2024, there was a 471% rise in the quantity of cocaine seized and more local laboratories processing cocaine derivatives were dismantled. Continue reading...
