Key facts
- Latin American organized crime groups are operating in at least 12 European countries, potentially up to 16.
- Cocaine seizures in Europe increased by 471% between 2014 and 2024.
- Mexico's Sinaloa and CJNG cartels, Colombia's Clan del Golfo and Farc factions, Brazil's PCC and CV, Venezuela's Tren de Aragua, and US gangs Barrio 18 and MS-13 are identified as active.
- These groups have established operations in Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Romania, Croatia, Slovakia, Bulgaria, the UK, Ireland, Iceland, Serbia, Sweden, and Switzerland.
- Global cocaine production has quadrupled since 2014, reaching an estimated 4,100 tonnes in 2024.
- Europe accounts for approximately 25% of global cocaine consumption.
Latin American organized crime groups are increasingly establishing a significant presence across Europe, forging alliances with local mafia organizations and driving a surge in cocaine trafficking, according to a four-month investigation by The Guardian.
The investigation, which analyzed databases, police and intelligence reports, and interviewed experts from eight countries, indicates that cartels and factions from Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, Venezuela, Mexico, and the US are active in at least 12 European nations. This expansion is fueled by a dramatic increase in cocaine production in Latin America and higher profit margins available in the European market.
Between 2014 and 2024, Europe saw a 471% rise in seized cocaine quantities, alongside the dismantling of more local laboratories processing cocaine derivatives. The report highlights that these figures may be conservative, as they exclude gangs operating in "joint ventures" with European mafias without a direct physical presence.
Prominent groups identified include Mexico's Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels (CJNG), Colombia's Clan del Golfo and guerrilla organizations like ELN and Farc factions, Brazil's Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) and Comando Vermelho (CV), Venezuela's Tren de Aragua, and US-originated gangs Barrio 18 and MS-13. These organizations have built a stronger presence in Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France, with activities also noted in Germany, Romania, Croatia, Slovakia, Bulgaria, the UK, Ireland, Iceland, Serbia, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Experts note that this phenomenon is no longer confined to traditional entry points, with recent operations uncovering Mexican-run methamphetamine labs in France, Poland, and Germany. The PCC, Brazil's largest criminal group, is reported to operate in 16 European countries. While the presence of Latin American cartels in Europe is not new, authorities describe the current scale as unprecedented.
Global cocaine production has quadrupled since 2014, reaching approximately 4,100 tonnes in 2024, with South America remaining the primary production hub. Europe has become a key market, representing about a quarter of global consumption, where organizations can achieve higher profit margins compared to the US.