A new report reveals that sophisticated criminal networks from the Western Balkans have established a significant operational presence in West Africa, transforming the region into a crucial hub for cocaine trafficking into Europe. These groups, leveraging established ties in South America, are increasingly using West African coastal states for logistics, storage, and redistribution of multi-tonne cocaine shipments.
Key Takeaways
- Western Balkan criminal groups are using West Africa as a logistical, storage, and redistribution hub for cocaine destined for Europe.
- These operations are driven by rising European demand, increased enforcement on direct routes, and strengthened partnerships with Latin American cartels.
- The trade fuels corruption, local drug use, and instability within West African nations.
- A coordinated international response focusing on strategic partnerships, enhanced intelligence, and smart targeting is recommended.
Balkan Networks Expand Operations in West Africa
Since 2019, organized crime groups originating from the Western Balkans have expanded their reach into West Africa. These networks, already major players in European and Latin American drug markets, are now utilizing West African coastal states to move substantial quantities of cocaine from South America. This expansion is attributed to the growing demand for cocaine in Europe, intensified enforcement along more direct trafficking routes, and strategic alliances forged with powerful Latin American cartels, notably Brazil’s Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC).
West Africa: A Pivotal Transit Node
West Africa’s strategic location, coupled with expanding port facilities and perceived weak oversight, makes it an ideal transit point for traffickers. Coastal nations such as Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, and Cape Verde are increasingly being used as entry points. Experts estimate that a third of Europe’s cocaine currently transits through West Africa, with projections suggesting this share could rise to half by 2030. The report highlights that groups from Montenegro, Serbia, and Albania are among the most significant actors in this global cocaine trade, with their presence in the region becoming more entrenched.
The Role of Brokers and Local Vulnerabilities
A defining characteristic of these operations is the crucial role played by brokers, often Balkan nationals stationed in West Africa. These individuals manage shipments, cultivate relationships with local partners, and ensure discretion. They act as essential intermediaries, providing flexibility and local access, and increasingly serve as convergence points between different criminal networks. These groups exploit local vulnerabilities, including corruption within law enforcement, port operators, and security services, to facilitate their operations.
Impact on West Africa and Recommendations
The burgeoning cocaine trade is not only facilitating European drug markets but also exacerbating problems within West Africa. Payments to brokers are sometimes made in drugs, leading to increased local consumption, particularly of crack cocaine. This trend contributes to rising addiction rates, strains fragile health systems, and fuels corruption at state levels. To counter this escalating threat, the report recommends a three-pronged approach: forging strategic cross-continental law enforcement partnerships, enhancing intelligence systems with dynamic, multi-source data, and implementing smart targeting strategies focused on disrupting key intermediaries.
Major Players and Future Trends
Prominent Western Balkan groups involved in these operations include the Montenegrin Kavač and Škaljari clans, as well as Albanian-speaking groups with strong ties in Spain and Brazil. These groups are known for their flexible structures, often consisting of small, trusted units. As they become less reliant on alliances with other major criminal organizations, they are likely to invest more directly in infrastructure and protection mechanisms in West Africa. This growing presence could lead to deeper corruption, increased violence, and fragmentation into more autonomous cells, potentially turning the region into a hub for fugitives and money laundering activities.
Sources
- Under the radar: Western Balkans’ cocaine operations in West Africa, Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC).
- Balkan cartels use West Africa to push cocaine into Europe, report warns, RFI.
- Cocaine connections: Links between the Western Balkans and South America, Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC).
