Organized crime groups from the Western Balkans have established West Africa as a critical hub for cocaine trafficking into Europe, according to a new report. These sophisticated networks are leveraging established connections in Latin America and exploiting vulnerabilities in West African nations to facilitate multi-tonne cocaine shipments.
Key Takeaways
- Balkan criminal networks are increasingly using West Africa as a logistical, storage, and redistribution center for cocaine destined for Europe.
- These operations are driven by rising cocaine demand in Europe, increased enforcement on direct trafficking routes, and strengthened alliances with Latin American cartels.
- The report highlights the crucial role of local brokers in managing logistics and liaising with corrupt officials and port operators.
- The expanding drug trade fuels corruption, increases local drug consumption, and contributes to instability within West African countries.
The Shifting Cocaine Landscape
Since 2019, criminal organizations rooted in the Western Balkans have expanded their operations into West Africa, moving significant quantities of cocaine from South America by sea. This strategic shift allows them to bypass heightened security on more direct routes to Europe. West African coastal states, including Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, and Cape Verde, are increasingly utilized as transit points.
Alliances and Operations
Prominent Balkan groups, such as the Montenegrin Kavač and Škaljari clans, have formed strong partnerships with major Latin American cartels, notably Brazil’s Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC). These collaborations enable control over the entire supply chain, from production to European markets. The report details how these groups employ various methods, including fully containerized shipments, smaller vessels, at-sea trans-shipments, and in-region containerization to conceal their illicit activities.
The Role of Brokers and Local Corruption
A defining characteristic of these operations is the reliance on brokers, often Balkan nationals stationed in West Africa. These intermediaries manage shipments, build relationships with local partners, and ensure discretion. They act as crucial points of convergence between different criminal networks. The groups exploit local vulnerabilities, forming relationships with corrupt elements within law enforcement, port authorities, and security services to facilitate their operations.
Wider Implications for West Africa
The burgeoning cocaine trade is not only a transit issue but also has profound negative impacts within West Africa. Payments to brokers are sometimes made in drugs, leading to increased local consumption, particularly of crack cocaine. This trend strains fragile health systems, fuels addiction, and exacerbates corruption at state levels. Experts warn that Balkan groups are likely to deploy strategies seen in Latin America, potentially leading to deeper corruption and increased violence.
Recommendations for Action
To combat this escalating threat, a coordinated response is recommended, focusing on three pillars: forging strategic cross-continental law enforcement partnerships, enhancing intelligence systems with dynamic, multi-source data, and implementing smart targeting strategies that focus on disrupting key brokers and criminal ecosystems through parallel financial and criminal investigations. Public-private partnerships and increased engagement from maritime shipping companies are deemed essential.
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.
- How the Balkan Underworld Turned West Africa into a Cocaine Hub, Balkan Insight.
- Cocaine connections: Links between the Western Balkans and South America, Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC).
