News of cocaine

How drug smugglers infiltrated a global shipping giant

24-12-2022 09:40 As MSC grew into a dominant force in global trade, it also became a prime drug-trafficking conduit for Balkan gangs.

FEATURE: DRUG-TRAFFICKING

Cocaine is flooding into Europe and it's terrorising cities

24-12-2022 08:40 Cocaine often hitches a ride from Latin America in the same ships that carry produce. The drug is swamping Europe, and some communities have been terrorised.

FEATURE: DRUG-TRAFFICKING

The golden age of cocaine is happening right now

22-12-2022 14:09 Global fallout from Colombia's cocaine boom is showing up everywhere from the warehouses of Antwerp to coup plots in West Africa, bringing violence, corruption and big profits.

CRIME: DRUG-TRAFFICKING

Hidrovía del Paraná: the waterway which passes South America’s drugs to Europe

01-09-2022 09:50 Drug authorities last week seized 1.6 tons of cocaine worth approximately US$60 million – one of the largest busts in recent years. The raid, which took place in Rosario, once again highlights the role played by local ports in international drug-trafficking.

by Leonardo Nieva

CRIME & SECURITY

Argentina seizes 1.6 tons of cocaine headed for Dubai

26-08-2022 15:59 Authorities seize 1.6 tons of cocaine hidden in animal feed destined for Dubai and detained 12 people.

Drug Trafficking

Honduras extradites alleged drug matriarch to the US

26-07-2022 16:00 Honduras hands over gang grandame for US trial; sexagenarian Herlinda Bobadilla arrested in mountainous cartel shootout which killed son.

HEALTH & SOCIETY

UN report says cocaine use has risen in Argentina over past decade

29-06-2022 10:00 Argentina is one of the countries in South America where the consumption of cocaine and psychoactive substances has grown the most over the past decade, according to the latest UN World Drug Report.

CRIME

Contaminated cocaine: Investigators switch focus to different drug gang

25-02-2022 17:27 Investigators believe gang led by convicted drug-trafficker Miguel Ángel 'Mameluco' Villalba is linked to the sale of tainted cocaine that killed 24 people last month.

CRIME & SECURITY

Authorities identify substance cut with ‘contaminated cocaine’ that killed victims

12-02-2022 08:55 ‘Laced cocaine’ that killed 24 people in Buenos Aires Province was cut with carfentanil, a derivative of fentanyl and a powerful opiate.

CRIME & SECURITY

Contaminated cocaine: Authorities probing six new hospitalisations in Rosario

07-02-2022 15:14 Authorities are investigating whether the hospitalisation of six people in the city of Rosario is linked to the contaminated cocaine tragedy that has already taken 24 lives.

CRIME & SECURITY

‘Laced cocaine’ tragedy exposes reality of drug trade in Argentina

07-02-2022 14:49 Expert prosecutor Mónica Cuñarro says drug business “diversified and atomised” during the coronavirus pandemic, creating the conditions for last week's tragedy.

CRIME & SECURITY

Death toll from laced cocaine tragedy climbs to 24

04-02-2022 22:58 At least 24 people have died and more than 200 have sought medical attention in Buenos Aires Province after consuming cocaine that prosecutors believe was cut with a toxic substance.

'LACED COCAINE' CRIME

‘I’m hoping for a miracle’ – Families of cocaine victims appeal for help

04-02-2022 02:47 Families of the “contaminated cocaine” victims plead with the authorities for help, asking that the tragedy “serves” to help addicts.

CRIME & SECURITY

Eight killed, 14 hospitalised from 'cocaine intoxication' in Buenos Aires Province

02-02-2022 15:12 Ten people died, 14 others hospitalised in Hurlingham, Tres de Febrero and San Martín as a result of cocaine consumption. Authorities probing if substance sold as drug was 'adulterated' or laced with poison.

DRUG-TRAFFICKING

Russian court jails four in 2018 Argentine embassy luggage cocaine case

20-01-2022 14:36 A Russian court on Thursday sentenced four men to lengthy jail terms for trying to smuggle nearly 400 kilogrammes of cocaine in suitcases from the Russian Embassy in Argentina.

MARADONA ALLEGATIONS

Cuban woman alleges Maradona abused and raped her

23-11-2021 10:17 Mavys Álvarez Rego, a 37-year-old Cuban woman who had an affair with Diego Maradona as a minor 20 years ago, accuses late footballer and his entourage of violence and abuse, including rape and holding her against her will.

FARC

Colombia militant jailed for 28 years for Ecuador press murders

11-06-2021 18:53 Gustavo Angulo Arboleda, also known as "Cherry", confessed to abducting and killing of two journalists and their driver on the border between Ecuador and Colombia.