In September 2023, there were four large cocaine seizures in and around the Atlantic Ocean - off the coast of Ireland, West Africa, Brazil, and Cape Verde.

The flows of cocaine that traverse the Atlantic travel mainly by sea, from the huge bulk carriers to small fishing vessels or sailing boats. Much of this illicit drug ends in the cocaine markets of Europe.

In this episode of Deep Dive: Monitoring, we briefly take a look at the seizures, what they mean for cocaine markets and the organized criminal networks involved. And do drug seizures make a dent in this multi-billion dollar industry?

Speaker:

Jason Eligh, Senior Expert, Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime and Thematic Lead of the GI-TOC's Global Drug Program - Link

Papers:

The cocaine pipeline to Europe

Atlantic connections: The PCC and the Brazil-West Africa cocaine trade

West Africa's Cocaine Corridor: Building a subregional response

Cocaine politics in West Africa: Guinea-Bissau's protection networks

A powder storm: The cocaine markets of East and southern Africa

Additional Reading:

https://www.donegaldaily.com/2023/10/03/gardai-believe-e157m-drugs-gang-tried-to-buy-boat-in-killybegs/

https://www.sundayworld.com/crime/cocaine-bust-trawler-remains-wedged-on-sandbank-off-wexford-coast/a295844397.html

https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/munster/arid-41235682.html

https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:5058595/mmsi:250004351/imo:0/vessel:CASTLEMORE

https://afloat.ie/safety/marine-warning/item/26428-marine-notice-aim-requirements-for-seagoing-passenger-ships

https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/2023/09/28/us-sanctions-colombian-cartel-leader-linked-to-157m-irish-cocaine-haul/

https://www.policia.es/_es/comunicacion_prensa_detalle.php?ID=15905

https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/brazils-navy-seizes-record-36-tonnes-cocaine-2023-09-20/

https://maoc.eu/joint-operation-between-the-brazilian-federal-police-and-the-brazilian-navy-seizes-3-6-tonnes-of-cocaine-in-the-atlantic/

https://www.premar-atlantique.gouv.fr/communiques-presse/la-fregate-de-surveillance-fs-ventose-saisit-2-4-tonnes-de-cocaine-au-large-des-cotes-africaines

https://maoc.eu/maoc-n-supports-french-seizure-of-2-4-tonnes-off-the-coast-of-west-africa/

https://maoc.eu/maoc-n-supports-irish-operation-off-the-cork-coast-2253-kg-of-cocaine-seized/

https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:711870/mmsi:356182000/imo:9228150/vessel:MATTHEW

https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/2023/09/29/irelands-biggest-cocaine-haul-how-the-plan-ran-aground/

https://www.icontainers.com/us/2016/11/11/friday-fun-fact-3-only-2-to-10-of-containers-are-inspected/

https://www.identecsolutions.com/news/drug-trafficking-container-terminal-safety

Website:

Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime

The Global Organized Crime index