«Calabrian clans no longer have a monopoly on cocaine»

Angela Me directs research for the UN agency that studies organized crime and drug trafficking: "Balkan groups are gaining ground. Europe is now the number one market"

«The 'ndrangheta still maintains a central position in global cocaine trafficking, but it has lost its monopoly».

Angela Me, from Vicenza, directs research at UNODC, the UN agency that studies organized crime and drug trafficking. From her observatory in Vienna, scrutinizing the changes in the most lucrative illegal trade on the planet, she has spotted new fearsome protagonists appearing on the scene. And for Avvenire she traces the lines of the new atlas of drug trafficking.

Who are the rivals of the Calabrian clans?

Certainly the Balkan groups, which now have direct relations with Colombia, just as the 'ndrangheta has had for some time. The absolute domination of the Calabrians, however, no longer exists; for about 10 years the market has changed, evolving in the direction of greater competition. The same thing happened in Colombia: without the domination of the FARC, many small, more dynamic groups have emerged. Production has increased and the logistics network has developed: a perfect storm.

It seems that things are worse than in the past.

Yes, because the increased supply has flooded Europe. The Old Continent is now becoming the leading market for cocaine: it has equaled the American one not only for low prices but also for the degree of purity of the substance. Then there are the new markets, Africa and other countries in Asia. In short, the demand is never lacking: a vicious circle that is difficult to break.

Proof of this is that both in Italy and in Europe seizures reached record levels in 2023. What are the dynamics and actors of trafficking today?

There is growing specialization. Each group deals with a specific sector of the supply chain: some follow production, some transportation, some distribution. In South America, the Brazilians of the PCC (Primeiro Comando Da Capital, ed. ) have emerged, and they also have tentacles in Spain. The Mexicans dominate the US market, but have set foot in Holland to secure the ingredients for synthetic drugs. The retail networks, so to speak , are instead in the hands of Nigerian and Moroccan groups. Most of the cocaine arrives in the ports of the Netherlands, Rotterdam and Antwerp, but the Italian route also remains active, with destinations in Livorno and especially Gioia Tauro. Lately, trafficking of Captagon, a powerful amphetamine produced in Syria and consumed mainly in the Gulf countries, has also been passing through Southern Italy (already known as the “ISIS drug”, it was also used by Hamas militants in the raid of 7 October. In 2020, 14 tons of it were seized in Salerno: investigations revealed links between the traffickers and the Assad regime, ed .).

According to your latest “Global cocaine report”, now 'ndrangheta and camorra are especially in agreement with Albanian criminal groups to create increasingly efficient networks, capable of importing ever greater quantities. And what happened to the Sicilian mafia?

It now occupies a decidedly more marginal and out-of-the-way position. We could say that perhaps it had been the protagonist of too great a boom in the previous decades. Perhaps it paid for its pyramid structure: once the top was hit it was no longer able to renew itself. The 'ndrangheta, on the other hand, with its “locali”, has demonstrated that it possesses a more flexible form, capable of rapidly adapting to new situations.

If Colombia is the main source of cocaine, Afghanistan is historically the main exporter of heroin. How is the situation after the return of the Taliban to power?

As it happened after the ban in 2000, decided by Mullah Omar, even now we are seeing a drastic decrease in opium cultivation. Satellite images speak clearly, the ban is actually bringing results.

After the American attack in 2001, despite the Western military presence, heroin production began to rise again, reaching unprecedented levels in 2017. What will happen now?

It is not yet clear, we need to wait. Also because the market is evolving. What we know is that all around Afghanistan and in Afghanistan, in the meantime, the production of methamphetamine has developed.

The European Drug Agency will become operational in 2024, and work is underway on a future common customs authority. Is the Union doing enough to combat drug trafficking?

A great overall effort is needed, inspired by an idea of ??true collaboration. A lot is being done, Europol for example is doing its job well. Of course, there are still obstacles that undermine mutual trust not only between police forces but also between judicial bodies of the various countries. There is always fear of some leak that could ruin an operation. Unfortunately, corruption is everywhere and the very perception of the phenomenon often slows down the exchange of data and information. And criminals, who do not know borders, take advantage of it. In general, even at a global level, ambiguities must be countered. Just as judicial cooperation must be strengthened. In short, there are several knots to untie.

Another big problem is recycling.

Here too, we need to clarify and hit those who really make a lot of money from trafficking. They are certainly not the farmers, nor the retailers. The big profits are in the hands of a few, those who are at the center of the supply chain: we could call them the wholesalers. Their dirty money then ends up in various sectors, from construction to catering, polluting the economy.

https://www.avvenire.it/attualita/pagine/l-europa-primo-mercato-della-cocae-i-clan-balcani