The Guardian World · Oct 13, 2026

Latin American organised crime ‘may operate in 16 European countries’

Cocaine seizures in Europe are up more than fivefold in 10 years as a host of cartels take root. 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.