Colombian authorities arrested William Rafael Vargas Maestre in Armenia (Colombia), one of Spain’s most wanted suspects in drug trafficking, who had been on the run since February 2016. With the help of Spanish law enforcement, the Colombian drug trafficking ring led by Vargas was dismantled and led to the arrest of 24 suspects. Mauritius’ Prime…
According to the latest International Narcotics Control Strategy Report on Drug and Chemical Control, released by the U.S. State Department, a list of five Caribbean nations has been sent to the U.S. Congress by US President Trump, naming ‘major illicit drug producing and/or drug-transit countries.’ This includes the Bahamas, Haiti, Belize, the Dominican Republic and…
Colombian police seized more than 6 tons of cocaine in the Caribbean port of Barranquilla bound for Spain. Colombian Defence Minister Luis Carlos Villegas confirmed that the shipment, worth €200 million, was carried out by several drug cartels, including El Clan del Golfo. The seizure represents the third largest cocaine seizure in the history of…
During the final congressional session of 2016, the government of Argentina submitted plans in order to modify the country’s anti-narcotics law. The reform – if approved – would increase penalties for the production, trafficking and supply of paco, the smokeable paste at intermediary stage in processing cocaine. The post-conflict minister of Colombia acknowledged that coca…
The Crime Rate Index for 2016 listed Mexico as the third most dangerous country in the world due to the violence created by drug-related organized crime, with the country ranked higher than countries currently at war. Ecuadorean Police seized around 10 metric tons of cocaine at Guayaquil port, which could mean the country may become…
15 alleged organized crime figures accused of smuggling drugs from South America were arrested by the Italian police. The target was a ring which was reportedly sending drugs from Colombia to Spain, and then into Italy. The investigation was a joint effort of Italian State and financial police, and Drug Enforcement Administration officials in the…
2 388 kg of cocaine and 18 individuals were arrested following joint actions of EU Member States and third partners, aiming to counter cocaine trafficking by maritime and air couriers from Brazil and Colombia. Cameroon customs seized 100 kg of methamphetamines at the Douala International Airport. Allegedly, the cargo packaged in 20 boxes belonged to…
En lo que va de 2016, más 64 toneladas de estupefacientes se han incautado en Ecuador, según el Ministerio del Interior. La mayoría estaba destinada al tráfico internacional, sobre todo hacia el continente europeo. Ecuador es considerado ruta de tránsito de drogas y de insumos para elaborarla. La Policía Federal de Argentina ha detenido una…
The Governor of Mexico’s Guerrero State is calling for the legalization of opium poppy for medicinal purposes as an alternative plan for minimizing the insecurity in the state, as revealed by Insight Crime. However, as stated by the UNODC Representative to Mexico “structural solutions” must be found to tackle the issue of violence. Reportedly, in…
InSight Crime has reported an investigation by Spanish Police which demonstrates that Juan Manuel Muñoz Luévano, a Mexican citizen, headed a criminal organisation that brought cocaine into Spain via the port of Valencia. Muñoz was accused of money laundering and criminal association. The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) will quit the cocaine drug trade…
