Brazilian Couple Detained in Spain for International Drug Trafficking Charges

On August 22, 2013, Terra reported that a Brazilian couple was detained in Ibiza, Spain for international drug trafficking. The couple, who acted as “mules”, was part of a gang that transports cocaine and ecstasy from Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo and to Spain, Germany and the Netherlands. Interpol with the help of the Federal Police of Rio de Janeiro located the fugitives. Read Article

No CommentsPermalink

Pernambuco, Brazil: Owner of Travel Agency Detained for Trafficking Women to Europe

On July 25, 2013 Globo reported that the Federal Police arrested the owner of a travel agency, Claudette Birth Banner in Olinda, Pernambuco, for human trafficking. According to police, the woman was sexually exploiting women with low education and no experience in tourism, to Europe, where they were harassed and forced into the prostitution sector. […]

No CommentsRead this post »

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Foreign Passengers Detained at Airport for Smuggling Cocaine

Terra reported on July 20, 2013 that the Federal Police detained two passengers at the Tom Jobim International Airport in Rio de Janeiro, for attempting to transport drugs to Europe and Africa. A Dutch passenger was arrested for smuggling 2 pounds of cocaine destined to Lisbon, Portugal and eventually Amsterdam. The other man, a Russian […]

No CommentsRead this post »

Support for Protests in Brazil Against Increased Bus Fare Spreads to Europe

Terra reported on June 16, 2013 that about 600 people gathered together in Berlin, Germany to support protests in Brazil against the increased bus fares; especially in São Paulo. Social networks organized the demonstration. Other acts of support took place in Dublin, Ireland. It is reported that other acts of support will take place in […]

No CommentsRead this post »

Brazil: International Drug Traffickers Detained After Federal Police Operation

On June 4, 2013, Terra reported that the Federal Public Ministry in Rio de Janeiro, in conjunction with the Federal Police and the IRS, concluded a United Nations operations intended to combat a group of 15 suspects; Brazilians, Colombians, Spaniards, and Portuguese, accused of international drug trafficking and money laundering. One investigation included that of […]

No CommentsRead this post »

Spanish drug mule arrested in Dominican Republic with cocaine

Spanish citizen Amparo Nieto Saenz de Santamaria was arrested in the Puna Cana airport in the Dominican Republic for attempting to traffick drugs to Spain. She had hidden the drugs in a disposable diaper she was wearing and underneath black tights. The total weight of the drugs was one kilo, 40 grams, Noticias Mundo Vision […]

Comments Off on Spanish drug mule arrested in Dominican Republic with cocaineRead this post »

Colombian narco-trafficker hid drugs in laptop; Attempted to fly to Europe from Peru

Colombian citizen Alba Nidia Rivera Solano was arrested after officials in Peru caught her attempting to leave the country with drugs. She had been carrying a laptop that was concealing the drugs, El Comercio reports. They had been packed into areas designated for the battery, hard drive, and in areas under the keyboard and behind […]

Comments Off on Colombian narco-trafficker hid drugs in laptop; Attempted to fly to Europe from PeruRead this post »

Police in Paraguay seize 726 pounds of cocaine in private port; Bound for Italy

Anti-narcotics police in Paraguay seized 726 pounds of cocaine in the private port of Caacupemí, in Asuncion. According to El Nuevo Heraldo, the drugs were found hidden inside pieces of wood in containers bound for Italy. Police have identified and arrested those responsible for the shipment, though their identities have not been released to the […]

Comments Off on Police in Paraguay seize 726 pounds of cocaine in private port; Bound for ItalyRead this post »

Africa a “drug bridge” between Latin America and Europe, UN says

The United Nations International Narcotics control reported that Africa has become a hub for drug trafficking from Latin America to Europe. According to an El Mundo report, drugs from countries such as Colombia enter Africa through the west coast. At the same time, countries in eastern Africa often serve as transit areas for drugs heading […]

Comments Off on Africa a “drug bridge” between Latin America and Europe, UN saysRead this post »

Cocaine-laden cargo ship run by Colombians stopped near Cadiz, Spain

31 people were arrested in Spain after officials intercepted a cargo ship carrying cocaine off the coast of Cadiz. Over 100 bales of drugs were seized on board, weighing about 3,000 kilos. The ship was to be picked up by a Galician group, which would distribute the drugs in Spain. Colombians living in Madrid organized […]

Comments Off on Cocaine-laden cargo ship run by Colombians stopped near Cadiz, SpainRead this post »

Spaniard arrested in Venezuelan airport with 1.277 grams of liquid cocaine

Santiago Martín Monforte (33) was arrested after attempting to fly to Portugal from Venezuela with 56 capsules of liquid cocaine. The drugs weighed a total of 1.277 grams, according to an El Carabobeno report. The suspect was found in the Caracas airport after displaying nervous behavior. He admitted he was carrying drugs in his stomach. […]

Comments Off on Spaniard arrested in Venezuelan airport with 1.277 grams of liquid cocaineRead this post »

Apure, Venezuela along new drug route to North America; Controlled by FARC

Officials have determined that the state of Apure in Venezuela is a crucial stop along a drug route from South America to the United States and Europe. Because the state is located along the Colombian border, most of the drugs passing through are related to FARC. According to La Patilla, 24% of cocaine that reaches […]

Comments Off on Apure, Venezuela along new drug route to North America; Controlled by FARCRead this post »

Six in Peru arrested for plotting to transport drugs to Spain

Four Spanish citizens, one Ecuadorian, and one Peruvian were arrested in the Lima airport after authorities caught them attempting to traffick drugs to Spain. Silvia G. M. from Spain was carrying three kilos of cocaine in bottles of natural products. Midia R. S.(30), also of Spain, had a kilo of drugs stored in processed foods, […]

Comments Off on Six in Peru arrested for plotting to transport drugs to SpainRead this post »

Venezuela: Colombians arrested after foiled attempt to fly to Portugal with drugs

A drug ring operating in Caracas, Venezuela was foiled after four individuals, all Colombian, were caught planning to fly to Portugal with drugs. The drugs were  hidden inside a double-bottomed suitcase, Noticias 24 reports. The drug operation, planned to occur at night, was intercepted after intelligence work. The four suspects were caught after leaving a […]

Comments Off on Venezuela: Colombians arrested after foiled attempt to fly to Portugal with drugsRead this post »

One Greek, two Romanians, one Russian found trafficking drugs from Peru

A Greek, two Romanians, and one Russian were arrested at the Jorge Chavez airport in Lima, Peru. They were attempting to fly with 7.3 kilos of cocaine to Spain, according to El Tiempo. The Greek, identified as Constantinus K.M. (44) carried two kilos of drugs impregnated in clothing that was hidden in a backpack. The […]

Comments Off on One Greek, two Romanians, one Russian found trafficking drugs from PeruRead this post »

Peru: Cocaine found in sculptures and funeral urns mailed to U.S. and other countries

All religious sculptures sent by mail, especially those of the Virgin Mary, must be scanned in Peru do to an increase of drug trafficking. Narco-traffickers have lately been sending their merchandise hidden inside these statues, Peru 21 reports. They have also been using funeral urns to transport drugs. Authorities announced that drugs have also been […]

Comments Off on Peru: Cocaine found in sculptures and funeral urns mailed to U.S. and other countriesRead this post »

Leader of Los Urabeños gang flew to Honduras on stolen Colombian plane

Alexánder Montoya Úsuga, believed to be the second-in-command of the Los Urabeños gang, was arrested on July 17, 2012 in Honduras. He was wanted for flying on an aircraft previously stolen from the El Dorado airport in Colombia, UPI Español reports. He is also believed to have been responsible for ordering and renting airplanes used […]

Comments Off on Leader of Los Urabeños gang flew to Honduras on stolen Colombian planeRead this post »

Costa Rican authorities seize shipment of drugs en route to Europe

National drug enforcement police in Moin, Costa Rica discovered and seized a shipment of drugs that arrived in the city’s port. According to Infosur Hoy, the drugs arrived from Colombia and were to be shipped to Europe after stops in Costa Rica and Puerto Rico. The exact final destination in Europe is unknown. The shipment […]

Comments Off on Costa Rican authorities seize shipment of drugs en route to EuropeRead this post »

Drug mule intercepted in Panama airport; Arrived from Europe with hashish in stomach

Anti-narcotics police in the Tocumen International Airport in Panama arrested a 31-year-old Panamanian man after arriving on a flight from Europe with hashish in his stomach. He was travelling in the company of a 55-year-old Italian woman, Hora Cero reports. X-rays revealed several tablets in his stomach, which after expulsion, totaled to 23. The drugs […]

Comments Off on Drug mule intercepted in Panama airport; Arrived from Europe with hashish in stomachRead this post »

Shipment of cocaine from Chile found in France; Hidden in frozen mussels

26.1 kilos of cocaine worth 1.3 million euros was discovered at the port of Le Havre, France hidden in containers of frozen mussels. According to the National Association of Customs in Chile, the drugs had arrived on a shipment from Chile without the knowledge of those shipping or receiving the mussels. Those responsible for packing […]

Comments Off on Shipment of cocaine from Chile found in France; Hidden in frozen musselsRead this post »

Drug traffickers attempt to send 350 kilos of drugs from Chile to Spain; Hidden in rocks

Customs officials at the Port of Arica in Chile intercepted a drug shipment intended for Spain. According to Informe 21, 350 kilos of cocaine were found inside four massive fake rocks. The rocks had been hidden in containers that had been shipped from Bolivia 15 days previously. The weight of the rocks alerted customers officials, […]

Comments Off on Drug traffickers attempt to send 350 kilos of drugs from Chile to Spain; Hidden in rocksRead this post »

Drug mule recruiters captured in Dominican Republic; Sent mules to Europe and U.S.

The National Drug Control in the Dominican Republic captured a couple responsible for organizing and recruiting drug mules who would fly to the United States and Europe. The couple was arrested in a home raid, where 22 grams of cocaine, firearms, ammunition, radios, and a Hummer were also seized. According to Diario Libre, two passports […]

Comments Off on Drug mule recruiters captured in Dominican Republic; Sent mules to Europe and U.S.Read this post »

1,500 kilos of drugs shipped from Ecuador to the Americas, Europe, and Asia this year

1,484.9 kilos of drugs have been seized in various locations in the Americas, Europe, and Asia so far in 2012. The total value of these drugs is valued at over $190 million, El Universo reports. Several notable seizures include one that took place in the Milan, Italy airport in January, when police arrested five people […]

Comments Off on 1,500 kilos of drugs shipped from Ecuador to the Americas, Europe, and Asia this yearRead this post »

Man caught in Caracas, Venezuela airport; Attempted to fly to Italy with cocaine

An unidentified Venezuelan citizen, 29, was caught in the Caracas airport attempting to fly to Europe with 60 sacs of liquid cocaine. According to El Tiempo, the suspect had tried to board flight AZ-687 of the Alitalia airline on the Rome-Milan route. After the suspect had expelled the drugs, security officials determined the total weight […]

Comments Off on Man caught in Caracas, Venezuela airport; Attempted to fly to Italy with cocaineRead this post »

Venezuelan forces intercept cocaine shipment to Madrid,Spain

Security officials in Venezuela discovered 220 grams of liquid cocaine in an international shipping company. The drug was intended to be sent to Madrid, Spain, Ultimas Noticias reports. Officials state the discovery was made after intensive intelligence work. It was found contained within a cardboard box after an X-ray machine displayed shadows not typical of […]

Comments Off on Venezuelan forces intercept cocaine shipment to Madrid,SpainRead this post »

Drug mules caught in Dominican Republic airport; tried to fly to Spain

Two drug mules were arrested in the Santo Domingo airport after attempting to board flights 6500 and UX088 operated by Air Europa and Iberia. According to El Caribe, both women were carrying cocaine. Carina María Ogando Tavarez (19) was carrying 87 bags of cocaine inside a brown suitcase. The drugs were detected after passing through […]

Comments Off on Drug mules caught in Dominican Republic airport; tried to fly to SpainRead this post »

Peru-Argentina drug route dismantled by authorities; Possible route to Europe

Police arrested five people in the Buenos Aires area after discovering 3,030 kilograms of cocaine and substances used to treat it. 13 raids were performed in the area, leading to the seizure of the substances, La Razon reports. Three of the detained individuals are reported to be citizens of Peru, Paraguay, and Argentina. They are […]

Comments Off on Peru-Argentina drug route dismantled by authorities; Possible route to EuropeRead this post »

113 kilos of cocaine seized in France, shipped from Ecuador

French police in the port of Le Havre seized 113 kilos of cocaine stored in three plastic bags that were hidden in containers transporting tuna cans. The shipment is believed to have originated in Ecuador, Andes reports. The cocaine is valued at seven million euros. Drug trafficking organizations have been known to use ports in […]

Comments Off on 113 kilos of cocaine seized in France, shipped from EcuadorRead this post »

Mexico City airport scandal: Federal agents trafficked drugs to the U.S. and Spain

After three federal police officers were shot by two other officers in the Mexico City airport on June 25, 2012, officials have been investigating an international drug trafficking network operating within the airport. According to Milenio, drug shipments from Colombia, Peru, and Guatemala were permitted through the airport. Corrupt federal agents would encourage customs agents […]

Comments Off on Mexico City airport scandal: Federal agents trafficked drugs to the U.S. and SpainRead this post »

Nearly a ton of cocaine confiscated in Ecuador; destined for U.S. and Europe

Raids on two houses in Guayas, Peru, revealed almost a ton of cocaine that was supposedly destined for the United States and Europe. Seven people were arrested during the operation, Radio Centro reports. In one of the houses, a laboratory was discovered, in which cocaine was hidden inside cans of tuna. Neighbors claimed to have […]

Comments Off on Nearly a ton of cocaine confiscated in Ecuador; destined for U.S. and EuropeRead this post »

Drug mule caught in Venezuela trying to fly to Rome, Italy with cocaine

A 24-year-old man from the Merida state of Venezuela was caught in the Simón Bolívar International Airport as he attempted to fly to Rome, Italy with 70 sacs of cocaine in his stomach. The total weight of the drugs was 1 kilo, El Tiempo reports. The flight was operated by the Alitalia airline. The plane […]

Comments Off on Drug mule caught in Venezuela trying to fly to Rome, Italy with cocaineRead this post »

Drug mule caught in Dominican Republic; flying to Spain with cocaine in stomach

Anyello Tavarez Basora (21) was impeded in the Santo Domingo airport as he attempted to board a plane to Spain with 38 small bags of cocaine in his stomach. He was investigated after security officials noticed suspicious behavior and a radiology test yielded positive results, Noticias Mundo Vision reports. He was taken to an Armed […]

Comments Off on Drug mule caught in Dominican Republic; flying to Spain with cocaine in stomachRead this post »

“Crispy” drug, mix of cocaine and marijuana, becoming popular in Panama

“Crispy,” a new drug consisting of marijuana buds and coca leaves, is rising in popularity in Panama. According to Critica en Linea, Colombian drug traffickers were the first to introduce crispy into the country. Those involved in the trade have explained that the drug was intended to be sold in Jamaica, Europe and the United […]

Comments Off on “Crispy” drug, mix of cocaine and marijuana, becoming popular in PanamaRead this post »

Spanish athletic director charged with laundering money from drug trafficking in Latin America

José Luis Pérez Caminero, the athletic director of Atlético de Madrid, was charged by a Spanish drug with the crime of money laundering. 19 other individuals were charged with the same crime. The laundered money was a product of drug trafficking in Latin America, specifically concerning Colombian and Mexican organizations. According to a Terra report, […]

Comments Off on Spanish athletic director charged with laundering money from drug trafficking in Latin AmericaRead this post »

Police thwart new drug route from Panama to Spain

Police in Spain thwarted the formation of a new drug route from Panama to Spain when they arrested six individuals, Panama America reports. The suspects had attempted to create a route by storing and shipping drugs inside ship parts and industrial equipment. 17 kilos of cocaine were found and seized during the police operation. Read […]

Comments Off on Police thwart new drug route from Panama to SpainRead this post »

Drugs sent from Argentina to the Netherlands on a combine harvester, found in Bulgaria

A combine harvester originating in Rosario, Argentina was shipped through several European cities before 67 kilos of cocaine were discovered in Bulgaria. The drugs were found at a port along the Danube river in Bulgaria and were destined for the port in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. According to Clarín, the drugs were worth approximately 50 million […]

Comments Off on Drugs sent from Argentina to the Netherlands on a combine harvester, found in BulgariaRead this post »

Cocaine “kitchen” found in Argentina; part of possible drug route to Europe

About a ton of high-purity cocaine was discovered in Escobar, Buenos Aires, Argentina in what has been described as a cocaine “kitchen.” The finding was confirmed by officials; however, as raids continue, police have declined to release additional information in the case it could hinder the ongoing investigations. 26 Noticias reports that the drugs were […]

Comments Off on Cocaine “kitchen” found in Argentina; part of possible drug route to EuropeRead this post »

Drug ring broken up in Argentina; known to ship cocaine from Buenos Aires to Europe

Eight people were arrested and 15 kilos of cocaine were seized after security forces broke up a drug trafficking ring attempting to send the drugs from Buenos Aires to Europe. The drugs were found after seven home raids and were in various forms, including capsules and powder. Officials also seized precision scales, equipment used to […]

Comments Off on Drug ring broken up in Argentina; known to ship cocaine from Buenos Aires to EuropeRead this post »

Old Portuguese airstrips, forest areas used in drug route from Morocco

Drug traffickers have reportedly been using old airstrips, as well as forest areas near Galicia, Spain to receive drug shipments from Morocco. According to Faro de Vigo, this area lacks law enforcement presence, making it easy for narco-traffickers to operate. To test exactly how easy it would be to traffick drugs into the country, reporters […]

Comments Off on Old Portuguese airstrips, forest areas used in drug route from MoroccoRead this post »

Cocaine seized in Limón, Costa Rica; final stop on route to Europe

522 kilos of cocaine were found hidden in four containers at the Moin port in Costa Rica. The Ministry of Public Security confirmed that the shipment was intended to be sent to Europe, La Nación reports. The seizure occurred after receiving confidential information regarding a ship arriving from Colombia that was carrying the drugs. 129 […]

Comments Off on Cocaine seized in Limón, Costa Rica; final stop on route to EuropeRead this post »

Drugs going from Cancun, Mexico to Europe often hidden in false suitcase bottoms

Anti-narcotics experts have closely watched drug activity in the Cancun, Mexico airport to determine how traffickers attempt to smuggle drugs to destinations such as Europe. According to Sipse, drug mules arrive in Cancun about 3 days before the scheduled departure flight and often stay in a hotel to prepare the drug. Many of the traffickers […]

Comments Off on Drugs going from Cancun, Mexico to Europe often hidden in false suitcase bottomsRead this post »

Seven suspects intending to traffick drugs to Spain arrested in Lima, Peru

Five Spaniards, one Italian and one Peruvian were arrested in Lima, Peru, while attempting to fly to Spain with 17 kilos of cocaine. According to El Correo, the Spaniards taken into custody were Otilio R.S. (51), with 3.9 kilos of cocaine hidden in wine bottles; Eludina R.P. (42), with 2.2 kilos stuffed inside a suitcase; […]

Comments Off on Seven suspects intending to traffick drugs to Spain arrested in Lima, PeruRead this post »

International drug gang disrupted in Ireland, operated in Spain

Eight individuals have been arrested for participation in international drug trafficking, two of which were stopped in the Dublin airport in Ireland for carrying 500 grams of cocaine hidden in their clothing. Five of the suspects were Colombian, two were Spanish, and one was Ecuadorian. The two arrested in Dublin were women. Police raided two […]

Comments Off on International drug gang disrupted in Ireland, operated in SpainRead this post »

Italian attempts to fly from Costa Rica to Spain with cocaine-stuffed shampoo bottle

Drug control police arrested Italian citizen Pironti (35) at the Juan Santamaría airport in Costa Rica on May 4, 2014. The suspect was arrested when officials discovered a plastic bag of cocaine stuffed into an empty shampoo bottle inside his suitcase. The cocaine weighed 724 grams, according to Telenoticias. Pironti had been flying from San […]

Comments Off on Italian attempts to fly from Costa Rica to Spain with cocaine-stuffed shampoo bottleRead this post »

60 Mexican narco-traffickers operate between Dominican Republic and Haiti, DEA says

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has provided the Dominican government the names of 60 suspected Mexican narco-traffickers operating between the Dominican Republic and Haiti. These traffickers are thought to be working along a route that transports drugs from Latin America into Puerto Rico or Europe, specifically Spain, Italy, and Germany, Acento reports. The suspects […]

Comments Off on 60 Mexican narco-traffickers operate between Dominican Republic and Haiti, DEA saysRead this post »

Dutch drug-trafficker intercepted in Panama

Jan Cornelis Hendril Hovenkamp of the Netherlands was arrested May 30, 2012 in Chiriquí, Panama, close to the border with Costa Rica, for trafficking marijuana. He was wanted by Dutch authorities for bringing marijuana into the Netherlands, El Informador reports. Hendril was taken into custody in a shopping center, where the National Police served him […]

Comments Off on Dutch drug-trafficker intercepted in PanamaRead this post »

Airport in Cancun, Mexico a major hub along drug route to Europe

After the arrest of a Mexican at the Leonardo da Vinci airport in Rome, Italy on May 8, 2012, it appears the international Cancun airport is a major stopping point along a drug route from Latin America to Europe. The Mexican suspect had travelled from Cancun to Rome with 14 kilograms of high-purity cocaine in […]

Comments Off on Airport in Cancun, Mexico a major hub along drug route to EuropeRead this post »

Romanian arrested for bringing drugs from Latin America to Europe

Romanian citizen Iustin Victor Radulescu (55) was arrested in Constanta, Romania on Italian accusations of trafficking drugs to Europe from Latin America. According to El Nacional, his arrest warrants were issued because of activity between 2007 and 2008, in which Radulescu brought three shipments of cocaine weighing nine tons into Europe. He had purchased the […]

Comments Off on Romanian arrested for bringing drugs from Latin America to EuropeRead this post »

Video: Investigation into the trafficking of women in Paraguay

A special report from cuatro.com television in Spain invertigats the business of trafficking women for sex from Paraguay to Europe, per abc.com.py. The interviewers talk with prosecutors, members of the business who have been arrested, reveal details of the business and visit Alto Paraná, Paraguay, one of the most dangerous places in the world. The […]

Comments Off on Video: Investigation into the trafficking of women in ParaguayRead this post »