Powerful illegal drugs are inundating Europe and sending corruption and violence soaring, EU says
1 year, 9 months ago

Powerful illegal drugs are inundating Europe and sending corruption and violence soaring, EU says

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — New harmful illicit drugs are inundating a flourishing market for traffickers amid violence and corruption hurting local communities across Europe, the EU’s agency monitoring drugs and addiction said Friday. Cocaine seizures are “historically high” and new synthetic drugs whose effects on health are not well documented are worrying officials. “I summarize this with the phrase: ‘everywhere, everything, everyone,’” said European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction Director Alexis Goosdeel. In addition, EU countries reported the destruction of 34 cocaine labs as well as large seizures of a precursor necessary to produce cocaine, confirming that “large-scale cocaine production steps take place in the European Union.” The expansion of the cocaine market has been accompanied by a rise in violence and corruption in the EU, with fierce competition between traffickers leading to a rise in homicides and intimidation.

Europe Drugs Drug Trafficking Drug Cocaine Johansson  eu  illegal  substances  drug  europe  drugs  synthetic  powerful  opioids  sending  seized  soaring  corruption  trafficking  cocaine  inundating  violence

History of this topic

France seizes 10 tonnes of cocaine in Dunkirk port
3 weeks, 4 days ago

France seizes 10 tonnes of cocaine in Dunkirk port

Hindustan Times  

PARIS, - French authorities seized 10 tonnes of cocaine in the port of Dunkirk over the weekend, a source in the Paris prosecutor's office said on Tuesday. France seizes 10 tonnes of cocaine in Dunkirk port French media reported that the haul was the biggest-ever in metropolitan France, corresponding to nearly a fifth of all cocaine seized last year. In …

France targets traffickers and recreational drug users as minister warns of a ‘tsunami of cocaine’
1 month, 3 weeks ago

France targets traffickers and recreational drug users as minister warns of a ‘tsunami of cocaine’

Associated Press  

PARIS — “Every day, people pay the price for the drugs you buy.” Amid record cocaine seizures and deadly shootings, the slogan is simple and aims to raise awareness among France’s millions of recreational drug users that their habits are fuelling gang violence and death. “I want to break with this logic of victimisation, which consists of presenting drug users …

Drug laws are failing us: Three in four police say possession policies are ineffective in preventing crime and deaths
3 months, 4 weeks ago

Drug laws are failing us: Three in four police say possession policies are ineffective in preventing crime and deaths

Daily Mail  

Three-quarters of police say that drug laws are failing to stem a rising tide of crime and a spiralling death toll, a powerful report has found. Polling by the Centre for Social Justice found that 74 per cent of police think current drug possession policies are ineffective, and two-thirds say cannabis has effectively been decriminalised. Legalising cannabis in the UK …

How France is turning into a 'Mexicanized narco-state' with drug wars fought across the country, teenagers being stabbed and burned alive, and gangsters breaking kingpins out of custody in daring ambu
4 months, 3 weeks ago

How France is turning into a 'Mexicanized narco-state' with drug wars fought across the country, teenagers being stabbed and burned alive, and gangsters breaking kingpins out of custody in daring ambu

Daily Mail  

Rampant drug-fuelled violence in France is turning the country into what has been dubbed a 'Mexicanized narco-state' by a leading politician. France's Minister of the Interior Bruno Retailleau said: 'Narco scum today have no limits' after a boy, 15, was killed in a gunfight in Poitiers on November 1 Armed police during Retailleau's visit to Rennes amid concern over drug-related …

As heroin in Afghanistan dries up, Europe could face an overdose crisis like the U.S.
5 months, 1 week ago

As heroin in Afghanistan dries up, Europe could face an overdose crisis like the U.S.

Salon  

For anyone living in America, the nightmarish shift in a contaminated drug supply is all too familiar. “The heroin market seemed to have been prepared for the first year of the Taliban ban: there was enough heroin in circulation and stocked up to dampen any supply shocks,” explained Andre Gomes, head of comms for the British charity Release, which provides …

Scotland's rising drugs death toll is still the worst in Europe as concerns grow over surge in cocaine fatalities
7 months, 1 week ago

Scotland's rising drugs death toll is still the worst in Europe as concerns grow over surge in cocaine fatalities

Daily Mail  

Scotland's ‘shameful’ drug death toll was laid bare yesterday after a rise of nearly 12 per cent in the past year. The NRS said: ‘People in the most deprived areas of Scotland are more than 15 times as likely to die from drug misuse compared to people in the least deprived areas.’ The proportion of deaths where benzodiazepines were implicated …

Most drug deaths due to 'polysubstance' use: EU report
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Most drug deaths due to 'polysubstance' use: EU report

Hindustan Times  

Synthetic opioids continue to concern European drug agencies. Despite a steady rise in synthetic opioids, heroin is still the most common drug used in the European Union The top takeaway from the European Drug Report 2024 : Drug users in Europe are increasingly using more than one drug at the same time — a practice known as "polydrug" or "polysubstance" …

Menace to society: Criminal gangs in Europe are infiltrating the legal world, Europol says
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Menace to society: Criminal gangs in Europe are infiltrating the legal world, Europol says

Associated Press  

Criminal networks in the European Union are penetrating legal businesses across the 27-nation bloc and rely heavily on corruption to develop their activities. “However, looking at the locations of their core activities, the vast majority maintain a strong geographical focus and do not extend their core activities too broadly,” Europol said. As record amounts of cocaine are being seized in …

Dutch organized crime among Europe’s worst in drug trade, tax fraud & people smuggling
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Dutch organized crime among Europe’s worst in drug trade, tax fraud & people smuggling

NL Times  

Dutch criminals are extensively involved in drug trafficking throughout Europe, Europol said in a report mapping out the most dangerous criminal networks on the continent. According to the European police organization, Dutch criminals are involved in criminal networks trafficking every drug it looked at. Dutch criminals are also well represented in the 34 criminal networks involved in tax fraud and …

Cocaine City? Gang wars on the rise as drug dealers fight for territory in EU capital Brussels
1 year, 1 month ago

Cocaine City? Gang wars on the rise as drug dealers fight for territory in EU capital Brussels

Associated Press  

SAINT-GILLES, Belgium — Cocaine and crack keep flowing. “We’re up against mafia-like organizations,” said Jean Spinette, mayor of the Saint-Gilles district, where one man was killed early Wednesday in the culmination of several days of fighting among drug dealers. “I’m convinced that the police and the justice system can be successful against this problem,” Justice Minister Paul Van Tigchelt said. …

European Union ports join up in fight against drug smuggling
1 year, 2 months ago

European Union ports join up in fight against drug smuggling

The Hindu  

The EU on Wednesday launches a “European Ports Alliance” to harmonise methods in the fight against drug smuggling and to combat the hubs’ infiltration by criminal groups. EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson said ahead of the launch that it was “obvious that we can’t just do efforts in one port because the criminals immediately move to another port”. Smugglers …

Belgian customs seized record amount of cocaine as EU faces rise in drug-related violence
1 year, 2 months ago

Belgian customs seized record amount of cocaine as EU faces rise in drug-related violence

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — Customs seized 116 tons of cocaine in the port of Antwerp in 2023, setting a record for the second year in a row, Belgian authorities said on Wednesday. Another five tons of cocaine were seized last year at the port of Zeebrugge, which is part of the larger Port of Antwerp-Bruges, said Finance Minister Vincent Van Peteghem. The …

Sharp drop in seized drugs in 2023-24
1 year, 2 months ago

Sharp drop in seized drugs in 2023-24

Hindustan Times  

MUMBAI: Seizures of high-value narcotics like cocaine and heroin by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence in Mumbai and other parts Maharashtra have dropped significantly this financial year compared to earlier years. HT Image Agency sources said most seizures this financial year pertained to smuggling bids by passengers using the air route, often employing unique concealment methods. Most of the drug …

UN report says cocaine market booming as meth trafficking spreads
1 year, 9 months ago

UN report says cocaine market booming as meth trafficking spreads

Al Jazeera  

Globally, more than 296 million people used drugs in 2021, an increase of 23 percent since 2011, the UN report says. Cocaine demand and supply are booming worldwide and methamphetamine trafficking is expanding beyond established markets, including in Afghanistan where the drug is now being produced, says a United Nations report. The number of people taking drugs rose by 23 …

Menace to society: galore of illicit drugs available in the EU as powerful new substances emerge
1 year, 9 months ago

Menace to society: galore of illicit drugs available in the EU as powerful new substances emerge

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy New harmful illicit drugs are …

Ports in a storm: Europe wants common approach to drug smuggling
1 year, 9 months ago

Ports in a storm: Europe wants common approach to drug smuggling

Dutch News  

Containers of fruit shipped from South America are the biggest risk for cocaine smuggling to Europe, according to a coalition working to fight drug crime. “International criminal organisations have a number of ingenious systems and constructions to evade controls as much as possible,” said the Belgian home affairs ministry in a press release. “Key figures in important administrative and checking …

Ports in a storm: Europe wants common approach to drug smuggling
1 year, 9 months ago

Ports in a storm: Europe wants common approach to drug smuggling

Dutch News  

Containers of fruit shipped from South America are the biggest risk for cocaine smuggling to Europe, according to a coalition working to fight drug crime. “International criminal organisations have a number of ingenious systems and constructions to evade controls as much as possible,” said the Belgian home affairs ministry in a press release. “Key figures in important administrative and checking …

Hundreds nabbed in global crackdown on dark-web drug marketplace
1 year, 10 months ago

Hundreds nabbed in global crackdown on dark-web drug marketplace

LA Times  

Authorities in the U.S. and Europe arrested nearly 300 people, confiscated more than $53 million and seized a dark-web marketplace as part of an international crackdown on drug trafficking that officials say was the largest operation of its kind. “Our coalition of law enforcement authorities across three continents proves that we all do better when we work together,” Europol’s executive …

Latin American cocaine cartels bring violence to Europe's big cities
2 years, 2 months ago

Latin American cocaine cartels bring violence to Europe's big cities

Firstpost  

Paris, France: “Seventy euros for one, 120 for two,” said the cocaine dealer as the young woman opened her door on Paris’ chic Left Bank. “The US market is saturated and coke sells in Europe at prices 50 to 100 per cent higher,” said the head of the French customs’ intelligence unit, Florian Colas. “Some cargos go through Caribbean ports” …

Despite record cocaine seizures, drug cartels roil Europe
2 years, 2 months ago

Despite record cocaine seizures, drug cartels roil Europe

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. And, with it, comes unprecedented drug violence in Belgium …

Record cocaine seizures in Europe, but Latin American drug cartels continue to roil Netherlands, Belgium
2 years, 2 months ago

Record cocaine seizures in Europe, but Latin American drug cartels continue to roil Netherlands, Belgium

LA Times  

Kris Verborgh, chief police inspector of the Marolles neighborhood of Brussels, holds a bag of crack cocaine on Monday. And with it comes unprecedented drug violence in Belgium and the Netherlands, whose ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam, respectively, have become the main gateways for Latin American cocaine cartels into the continent. Officials in Antwerp on Tuesday announced yet another annual …

6 European nations agree to step up anti-drug cooperation
2 years, 5 months ago

6 European nations agree to step up anti-drug cooperation

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Experts worried by rise of cocaine processing in Europe
2 years, 10 months ago

Experts worried by rise of cocaine processing in Europe

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — Records amounts of cocaine are being seized in Europe while manufacturing of the drug is now taking place inside the the European Union, officials in charge of fighting and monitoring drugs use in the bloc warned on Friday. More than 214 tons of cocaine were seized in Europe in 2020, a 6% increase from the previous year, and …

Netherlands the main hub for cocaine smuggling in Europe: Europol
3 years, 6 months ago

Netherlands the main hub for cocaine smuggling in Europe: Europol

NL Times  

The Netherlands and Belgium are now the main hubs for cocaine smuggling in Europe, with both countries supplanting Spain as the main entry point for the drug, European police organization Europol said in a report. "The epicenter of the cocaine market in Europe has moved north," Europol said, AD reports. Criminal organizations are taking advantage of the increased supply of …

Europe and UK are spiralling towards a drugs overdose epidemic, study warns
5 years, 4 months ago

Europe and UK are spiralling towards a drugs overdose epidemic, study warns

Daily Mail  

Europe could be spiralling towards an opioid epidemic as an unprecedented surge of cheap, super-strength heroin hits the streets of EU nations, a major report warns. A major EU report about the drugs market in the continent today revealed record amounts of heroin are being shipped into Western nations, and that man-made versions of the drug represent a 'growing health …

A new ‘war on drugs’ is short sighted and naive
5 years, 6 months ago

A new ‘war on drugs’ is short sighted and naive

Dutch News  

When the Dutch government liberalised cannabis policy in 1976, they understood that the legalisation and regulation of cannabis was actually the best solution, or at least the least bad one. According to the United Nations World Drug Report, there have never been so many cannabis, cocaine, heroin and synthetic drugs on the market for such low prices or of higher …

A new ‘war on drugs’ is short sighted and naive
5 years, 6 months ago

A new ‘war on drugs’ is short sighted and naive

Dutch News  

When the Dutch government liberalised cannabis policy in 1976, they understood that the legalisation and regulation of cannabis was actually the best solution, or at least the least bad one. According to the United Nations World Drug Report, there have never been so many cannabis, cocaine, heroin and synthetic drugs on the market for such low prices or of higher …

Britain is the substance abuse capital of Europe, official figures show
5 years, 7 months ago

Britain is the substance abuse capital of Europe, official figures show

Daily Mail  

Britain was last night branded the ‘drug capital of Europe’, with one in three of the continent’s overdose deaths happening here. Experts warn the country is in the midst of an addiction crisis as figures show drug abuse kills more people in the UK each year than knife crime and road accidents combined. Experts warn the country is in the …

€100m to combat drugs and organised crime
6 years, 8 months ago

€100m to combat drugs and organised crime

Dutch News  

The Dutch government is investing €100m in operations to crack down on illegal drugs trade and organised crime. Justice minister Ferdinand Grapperhaus announced more details on the coalition government measure in a parliamentary briefing on Thursday. We have been working on this for some time and believe that Brabant will come up with a good plan.’ The mayor of Almelo, …

€100m to combat drugs and organised crime
6 years, 8 months ago

€100m to combat drugs and organised crime

Dutch News  

The Dutch government is investing €100m in operations to crack down on illegal drugs trade and organised crime. Justice minister Ferdinand Grapperhaus announced more details on the coalition government measure in a parliamentary briefing on Thursday. We have been working on this for some time and believe that Brabant will come up with a good plan.’ The mayor of Almelo, …

Cocaine and heroin supplies hit ‘record highs’ globally
6 years, 9 months ago

Cocaine and heroin supplies hit ‘record highs’ globally

CNN  

Story highlights Cannabis was the most widely used drug in 2016 Drug use among those age 40 and above is increasing at a faster rate than younger demographics CNN — Cocaine supplies and heroin seizures have hit a record high, a new report finds. Supplies of cocaine in 2016 andopiumfrom 2016 to 2017 hit their highest ever recorded levels, according …

Norway’s Parliament Votes To Decriminalize All Drug Use
7 years, 3 months ago

Norway’s Parliament Votes To Decriminalize All Drug Use

Huff Post  

The Norwegian Parliament, also known as the Storting, has started the process to decriminalize drug use and emphasize treatment options. Fredrik Bjerknes/Bloomberg via Getty Images Norway’s Parliament is set to decriminalize illicit drugs and divert people found with small quantities into treatment options rather than pursuing criminal prosecution. Instead of fining or jailing drug users found with small quantities of …

War on Drugs: Portugal may be winning the battle against drug abuse through decriminalisation
7 years, 5 months ago

War on Drugs: Portugal may be winning the battle against drug abuse through decriminalisation

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “You’re not taking too much?” Lopes monitors Portuguese heroin …

Illegal drugs market 'thriving' globally as opium, cocaine production escalates: UN report
7 years, 9 months ago

Illegal drugs market 'thriving' globally as opium, cocaine production escalates: UN report

Firstpost  

The global narcotics market is “thriving”, with production of cocaine and opium substances soaring and opioids wreaking havoc said a UN agency. Vienna: The global narcotics market is “thriving”, with production of cocaine and opium substances soaring and opioids wreaking havoc, the UN crime and drugs agency said on Thursday in a gloomy annual assessment. Around 29.5 million people worldwide, …

Prescription drug addiction 'to overtake heroin use' in UK
7 years, 9 months ago

Prescription drug addiction 'to overtake heroin use' in UK

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The company, which runs six addiction treatment centres across the country, said admissions for prescription …

Major rights groups: Decriminalize use of all illicit drugs
8 years, 5 months ago

Major rights groups: Decriminalize use of all illicit drugs

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — As Americans debate the expanding campaign to legalize marijuana, two of the nation’s most prominent human rights organizations are urging a far bolder step — the decriminalization of possession and personal use of all illicit drugs. Human Rights Watch and the American Civil Liberties Union jointly issued the call Wednesday in a detailed report contending that enforcement …

Legal highs ban 'will increase drug-related deaths' by moving sales underground
8 years, 10 months ago

Legal highs ban 'will increase drug-related deaths' by moving sales underground

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. He claimed that they would use the internet to source legal highs made in …

The Netherlands remains major European drug trader: EU report
8 years, 11 months ago

The Netherlands remains major European drug trader: EU report

Dutch News  

A new EU report on drugs says the Netherlands remains a main hub for drug production and trafficking across Europe. In 2014, Rotterdam port handled 7.4 million containers, and the report adds: ‘It takes about three minutes for traffickers to illegally open a container and retrieve a consignment of…100 kg of cocaine distributed in four or five duffel bags.’ Organised …

The Netherlands remains major European drug trader: EU report
8 years, 11 months ago

The Netherlands remains major European drug trader: EU report

Dutch News  

A new EU report on drugs says the Netherlands remains a main hub for drug production and trafficking across Europe. In 2014, Rotterdam port handled 7.4 million containers, and the report adds: ‘It takes about three minutes for traffickers to illegally open a container and retrieve a consignment of…100 kg of cocaine distributed in four or five duffel bags.’ Organised …

Europe's drug traffickers run wild through Netherlands says Europol
8 years, 11 months ago

Europe's drug traffickers run wild through Netherlands says Europol

NL Times  

The Netherlands plays a major role in the production and trafficking of hard- and soft drugs across Europe. Along with Belgium, the Netherlands is one of Europe's largest producers of synthetic drugs like ecstasy and amphetamine. And the country is a major hub for trafficking in cannabis and cocaine, according to a report Europol and the European Monitoring Center for …

Britons much more likely than most other Europeans to experiment with drugs at least once, says UN report
9 years ago

Britons much more likely than most other Europeans to experiment with drugs at least once, says UN report

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Research last year found Britain was top of the European league table for cocaine …

Ireland to 'decriminalise' small amounts of drugs, including heroin, cocaine and cannabis, for personal use
9 years, 4 months ago

Ireland to 'decriminalise' small amounts of drugs, including heroin, cocaine and cannabis, for personal use

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Ireland will move towards decriminalising …

Portugal decriminalised drugs 14 years ago – and now hardly anyone dies from overdosing
9 years, 9 months ago

Portugal decriminalised drugs 14 years ago – and now hardly anyone dies from overdosing

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. This is arguably a positive development for public health …

UK has highest rate of cocaine use among young adults in Europe, says new report
9 years, 9 months ago

UK has highest rate of cocaine use among young adults in Europe, says new report

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Britain has the highest rate of cocaine use among young …

Over 1,000 arrested in EU crackdown on organised crimes
10 years, 6 months ago

Over 1,000 arrested in EU crackdown on organised crimes

India TV News  

The Hague: As many as 1,027 people were arrested in a large-scale police operation against drug and human traffickers across Europe this month, the Hague-based European police organisation Europol announced on Wednesday. Law enforcement officers from 34 countries took part in the largest-ever coordinated operation against organised crime in the European Union, Xinhua quoted Europol as saying. "Operation Archimedes is …

EU mulls new law on 'legal highs'
11 years, 6 months ago

EU mulls new law on 'legal highs'

India TV News  

Brussels: The European Commission has proposed to efficiently withdraw from the market harmful psychoactive substances, known as "legal highs" as alternatives to illicit drugs such as cocaine and ecstasy. "Legal highs are a growing problem in Europe and it is young people who are most at risk. With a borderless internal market, we need common EU rules to tackle this …

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