Cocaine trafficking in Europe

This chapter analyzes the structure and dynamics of cocaine trafficking in Europe, emphasizing the region’s central role as both a major consumer market and a critical node in global trafficking routes. It outlines the political economy of cocaine, highlighting how production in South America is linked to European markets through transnational criminal networks. The text examines distribution chains, consumption trends, and price dynamics, showing how enforcement pressure shapes trafficking strategies. A detailed discussion of transshipment hubs—especially ports in the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, and Italy—illustrates how infrastructure, logistics, and weak enforcement create strategic entry points. The chapter also explores key actors, including European and Latin American criminal organizations such as ‘Ndrangheta and Primeiro Comando da Capital, stressing their networked, flexible operational models rather than strictly hierarchical structures. The conclusion underscores Europe’s increasing importance in the global cocaine trade, both as a destination and redistribution zone, and identifies research gaps regarding regional variations, enforcement impacts, and organizational dynamics.