News Analysis

Balkan Gangs Supervise Cocaine Trade from Colombia and Across Europe

A cell within a notorious Montenegrin cocaine trafficking group has been dismantled on Spain’s Canary Islands, demonstrating how Balkan drug…

PCC and Anti-Bala Criminal Alliance Under Threat in Southern Brazil

The capture of a top Anti-Bala coalition member in Paraguay threatens to weaken a longstanding criminal in Brazil's southern border…

Fake Face Masks Add to COVID-19 Dangers in Argentina

Multiple raids carried out in Argentina have revealed a criminal network capitalizing on the emergence of new COVID-19 variants by…

In Venezuela, Prison Gang Chants Support for Politicians

Political support from career criminals is usually a matter of skulduggery and campaign finance. But one prison gang in Venezuela…

US Coast Guard Makes Record Drug Haul in Pacific, Caribbean

The US Coast Guard unloaded 27 tons of cocaine after a three-month operation in the Pacific and Caribbean, a massive…

The Next Generation of Criminal Groups Driving Violence in Mexico

Mexico's process of criminal fragmentation has been a slow burn. Many of the country's mightiest criminal groups have been unable…

Closed Borders Help Argentina Make Large-Scale Coca Leaf Seizures

Authorities in Argentina are seizing bumper crops of coca leaves coming over the country's northwest border with Bolivia, causing the…

Quarter of Pesticides in Brazil Illegally Smuggled from China

A number of recent raids have highlighted how illegal pesticide smuggling in Brazil is fueled by Chinese contraband.

Chinese Broker Laundered Latin American Drug Money Around the World

The leader of a transnational money laundering network cleaned drug money through a scheme that included casinos, a seafood export…

Million-Dollar Seizure of Shark Fins Leads to Lenient Fine in Ecuador

The alleged exporter of a shipment of 26 tons of illegal shark fins from Ecuador to Hong Kong has received…

Ex-Lieutenant Allegedly Recruits Venezuelan Soldiers for Gang Attack on Illegal Mine

A former army lieutenant allegedly recruited Venezuelan soldiers to provide firepower for the Tren de Guayana gang in a bid…

Vigilante Death Squad Sends Bloody Message in Brazil-Paraguay Border Region

A shadowy vigilante death squad operating on the Brazil-Paraguay border is killing supposed thieves and then leaving notes next to…