All About Synthetic Drugs

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The Three Criminal Fronts Sparking Violence in Sonora, Mexico

BELTRAN LEYVA ORG / 7 JAN 2022

Murders have spiked in Mexico's northern state of Sonora, thanks to the volatile mix of a veteran drug trafficker's alleged return, internal disputes within the Sinaloa Cartel, and an offensive…

GameChangers 2021: COVID Chaos, Corruption, Deforestation and Synthetic Drugs

COLOMBIA / 22 DEC 2021

Welcome to InSight Crime’s Criminal  GameChangers 2021, where we highlight the most important trends in organized crime in the Americas over the course of the year.

Synthetic Drugs Flood California Crossing of US-Mexico Border

FENTANYL / 26 NOV 2021

A record seizure of methamphetamine and fentanyl at a US-Mexico border crossing near San Diego underscores how this corner has become a major smuggling corridor for synthetic drugs.

What Does Massive Fentanyl Seizure Say About US-Mexico Security Relations?

FENTANYL / 9 NOV 2021

A recent seizure of fentanyl in Mexico has shed further light on the capacity of organized crime groups to mass-produce the deadly synthetic opioid. Still, the timing suggests US officials…

LatAm Synthetic Drug Trade Booming: UNODC Report

BRAZIL / 2 NOV 2021

Organized crime groups in Latin America continue to expand into illicit synthetic drug production, including mass manufacturing of methamphetamine and fentanyl in Mexico, and experiments with synthesizing party drugs in…

Impact of Illicit Fentanyl Felt on Both Sides of US-Mexico Border

FENTANYL / 22 OCT 2021

Fentanyl continues to wreak havoc on both sides of the US-Mexico border, as Mexican security forces continue to seize the drug while anti-narcotics officials in the United States are warning…

US Sanctions Reveal CJNG’s Grip on Mexico Port To Move Fentanyl

FENTANYL / 8 OCT 2021

The United States has sanctioned four suspected members of Mexico’s powerful CJNG cartel, alleging that they controlled drug operations at a Pacific port that is a crucial entry point for…

Brazil's Santa Catarina Becoming Country's MDMA Hub

BRAZIL / 28 SEP 2021

Authorities have made Brazil's largest ever-seizure of ecstasy in the southern state of Santa Catarina in the latest example of how the production of the synthetic drug is spreading rapidly…

Fentanyl and 2CB, Worrying New Cocktail on Colombia's Party Circuit

COLOMBIA / 20 JUL 2021

A synthetic drug popular in Colombia's party scene was recently found to be laced with the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl, creating a deadly mix that has not been previously reported…

US Drug Deaths Explode, Fueled by Mexico Production of Synthetics

FENTANYL / 19 JUL 2021

The United States saw a record toll in drug overdose deaths last year, driven in part by two powerful synthetic drugs mass-produced in Mexico and then smuggled over the border.

Love Honey - The Odd Sexual Stimulant Sweeping Brazil's Party Scene

BRAZIL / 10 JUL 2021

Brazil has seen its fair share of new synthetic drugs, but the latest hit, known as “love honey,” may be the strangest in a while. And despite being a cultural…

How Mexico's Drug Trade Has Evolved Over a Century

COCAINE / 21 JUN 2021

Misconceptions surrounding Mexico's drug trade have long been replicated in popular culture and public discourses.

Cocaine, Crack, Meth, MDMA - Europe Drugs Report Paints Grim Picture

COCAINE / 15 JUN 2021

A recent report on drug trafficking and consumption in Europe highlights the acceleration of existing trends and the emergence of new ones, both of which impact Latin America’s criminal landscape.

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Guatemala Social Insecurity Investigation Makes Front Page News

10 DEC 2021

InSight Crime’s latest investigation into a case of corruption within Guatemala's social security agency linked to the deaths of patients with kidney disease made waves in…

THE ORGANIZATION

Venezuela El Dorado Investigation Makes Headlines

3 DEC 2021

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…

THE ORGANIZATION

Gender and Investigative Techniques Focus of Workshops

26 NOV 2021

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…

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InSight Crime Names Two New Board Members

19 NOV 2021

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…

THE ORGANIZATION

Senate Commission in Paraguay Cites InSight Crime

12 NOV 2021

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…

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