A Green Gold Rush: Potent Marijuana Big Business For Colombia Traffickers
While Colombia is known for its vast coca fields, the hillsides of its Cauca region are covered in another illicit crop: highly potent marijuana.
Costa Rica and Panama Find Joint Success in Tackling People Smuggling
Authorities in Panama and Costa Rica have dismantled an international human smuggling ring, highlighting the success of police cooperation in both countries’ fight against established smuggling networks.
Will Drug Conspiracy Allegations End US Support for Honduras President?
With a public accusation that he accepted drug proceeds for his political campaigns, the US appears to finally be turning its back on its longtime ally, Honduras President Juan Orlando…
Have Cryptocurrencies Really Helped Venezuela Sidestep US Sanctions?
Venezuela is collecting airport taxes through an application that converts these funds into Bitcoin, demonstrating the country’s continuing use of cryptocurrencies to evade US sanctions.
Honduras Gangs Turn to Bus Workers to Collect Extortion Fees
Street gangs in Honduras are forcing transport workers to participate in extortion rackets, highlighting the vulnerability of a group already hit hard by such gangs.
Paraguay’s Underworld Fighting Back Against PCC in Brazil
The brutal murder of a Brazilian drug trafficker seemingly carried out by a Paraguayan gang has shown how escalating violence is impacting the border state of Mato Grosso do Sul,…
Uncertainty Surrounds Protection Plan for Colombia's Crop Substitution Leaders
The unveiling of a plan to protect community leaders involved in Colombia’s voluntary coca crop substitution program is not likely to alleviate security concerns, given the recent killings of such…
Cartel Takedown Won't Solve Mexico's Oil Theft Problem
Authorities in Mexico have cracked down on the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel, touted as the nation’s leading oil theft gang, but this vast criminal economy will not be undone…
'Narco-Subs' Pose Underwater Threat for US, Colombia Authorities
US Coast Guard members intercepted a “narco-submarine” carrying 7,700 kilograms of cocaine as it raced through the Pacific Ocean, underscoring a spike in this method of drug transport.
Report Finds Peru Timber Trade Taken Over by Criminal Networks
A new report offering a detailed statistical breakdown of Peru’s timber trade exposes the staggering levels of illegality that have contaminated the country’s wood supply chain and the constant evolution…
Crackdown on Illegal Mining Won't End Ecuador's Gold Rush
Thousands of police and military have swept through the north Ecuador district of Buenos Aires in an attempt to control the illegal mining boom that has ravaged the region, but…
Relatives of Jailed PCC Members Launder Millions For Brazil Gang
Brazilian prison gang the PCC has laundered an estimated $15 million of drug money through accounts opened by relatives of jailed members, demonstrating the growing sophistication of the gang’s criminal…
About InSight Crime
Maduro's El Dorado Investigation Makes Headlines
InSight Crime's investigation into the trafficking of illegal gold in Venezuela's Amazon region generated impact on both social media and in the press. Besides being republished and mentioned by several…
Gender and Investigative Techniques Focus of Workshops
On November 23-24, InSight Crime conducted a workshop called “How to Cover Organized Crime: Investigation Techniques and A Focus on Gender.” The session convened reporters and investigators from a dozen…
InSight Crime Names Two New Board Members
In recent weeks, InSight Crime added two new members to its board. Joy Olson is the former executive director of the Washington Office on Latin America…
Senate Commission in Paraguay Cites InSight Crime
InSight Crime’s reporting and investigations often reach the desks of diplomats, security officials and politicians. The latest example occurred in late October during a commission of Paraguay's Senate that tackled…
Backing Investigative Journalism Around the Globe
InSight Crime was a proud supporter of this year's Global Investigative Journalism Conference, which took place November 1 through November 5 and convened nearly 2,000 journalists…
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