Drug Trafficking, DCSA Dossier: 'Ndrangheta is One of the Most Powerful Mafias in the World
Luca Grossi October 09, 2024
Victims, kidnappings, turnover, clan rankings: the 2024 annual report of the Central Directorate for Anti-Drug Services is a journey into every criminal nook and cranny of the drug world in Italy. After marijuana, the most consumed narcotic substance is cocaine. In 2023, drug trafficking "constituted one of the main businesses for all the criminal organizations involved, including the Italian ones" within which, the report of the Central Anti-Drug Directorate underlines, "the hegemonic role of the Calabrian 'Ndrangheta, which represents the most insidious and pervasive Italian mafia organization, has been further strengthened".
Furthermore, the report adds, the 'Ndrangheta represents "one of the most powerful and dangerous criminal organizations in the world, characterized by a pronounced tendency to expand on a national and international scale. Thanks to the presence of its own representatives and brokers operating in the production sites and temporary drug storage areas located in Europe, it is the most influential criminal organization in the trafficking of cocaine from South America". The availability of large amounts of illicit capital and a strong ability to manage the various segments and hubs of cocaine production and distribution have allowed, over time, the 'Ndrangheta to consolidate its pre-eminence in international drug trafficking, which all other criminal networks refer to for the supply of cocaine for consumption in their respective areas. "As for Cosa Nostra - we read further in the Report of the Central Anti-Drug Directorate - the investigations have confirmed its persistent vitality. The Neapolitan Camorra - adds the report - has also continued its activity of importing narcotics, especially hashish and cocaine, exploiting on the one hand its operational projections in Spain and in the countries of South America, in Africa and in the Arabian Peninsula, on the other hand the close collaboration with the Calabrian clans. The most recent investigations have revealed agreements and alliances with both South American and Dutch traffickers of Moroccan origin active in the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp Belgium. In the world of drugs, international criminal gangs are also active, characterized by a strong ethnic aggregation, as well as tribal associative ties. The most dangerous are the Albanian mafia and the Nigerian mafia, the latter present in particular in Lombardy, Veneto, Piedmont, Emilia Romagna, Lazio, Umbria, Campania and Sicily.
Tons of cocaine
Overall, 88 tons of drugs were seized in Italy last year, with a growth of 16.61% compared to 2022. In particular, seizures of hashish (+81.99%), marijuana (+21.81%) and synthetic drugs (both in doses and powder) increased, while those of cocaine (-24.59%), heroin (-52.67%) and cannabis plants (-25.14%) decreased. Paradoxically, the data relating to the drop in seizures of cocaine and heroin is alarming, a decrease which corresponds to the surge in synthetic drugs, such as Fentanyl, Ecstasy, Ketamine which are invading the world. A recrudescence that is marking a turning point destined to worsen the social and health consequences of drug trafficking. A turning point further dominated by the 'Ndrangheta.
Cocaine and synthetic drugs on the rise
Illegal cocaine trafficking is the most worrying due to the dangerousness and pervasiveness of the criminal organizations involved, although the illicit trade in cannabis and its derivatives knows no setbacks, being the most consumed drug in the world. And if heroin trafficking appears to be in decline, synthetic drugs are increasingly imposing themselves on the criminal scene thanks to more accessible sales channels such as the web. Italy, from this last point of view, has a less worrying situation, continuing to be a country that still predominantly consumes narcotic substances of natural origin. The data also highlight the indirect damage caused by drug trafficking, with the increase in episodes of violence and aggression connected to the consumption of narcotics, even synthetic ones, with the most powerful psychoactive effects. Furthermore, the cultivation of natural drugs in increasingly large territorial areas, through the exploitation of the soil, deforestation and pollution, seriously compromises the environment and, consequently, the health of the planet.
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