Monitoring: A Month of Drug Seizures Deep Dive: Exploring Organized Crime

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
a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/brazils-navy-seizes-record-36-tonnes-cocaine-2023-09-20/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...