A four-month investigation into international drug trafficking has identified a substantial rise in the presence of Latin American criminal networks within Europe. Data collected from police agencies, intelligence reports, and interviews with judicial officials suggest that factions originating from countries including Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, Venezuela, Mexico, and the United States are now active in at least 12 European nations, with potential operations extending to as many as 16.

The report highlights a shift in the operational model of these groups, noting that they are increasingly forming strategic alliances with established European mafia organizations to manage logistics and distribution. This expansion coincides with a documented 471% increase in cocaine trafficking activity between 2014 and 2024. Experts cited in the investigation point to this collaboration as a primary driver behind the surge in illicit substances entering the continent. While the investigation relies on a wide array of official databases and expert testimony, the findings underscore the evolving nature of transnational crime and the challenges faced by law enforcement in monitoring these decentralized, cross-border partnerships. The data suggests that the influence of these cartels is no longer confined to their regions of origin but has become a systemic issue for European security and judicial systems.