Monitoring: A Month of Drug Seizures

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 - LinkPapers:The cocaine pipeline to EuropeAtlantic connections: The PCC and the Brazil-West Africa cocaine tradeWest Africa's Cocaine Corridor: Building a subregional responseCocaine politics in West Africa: Guinea-Bissau's protection networksA powder storm: The cocaine markets of East and southern AfricaAdditional 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.htmlhttps://www.irishexaminer.com/news/munster/arid-41235682.htmlhttps://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:5058595/mmsi:250004351/imo:0/vessel:CASTLEMOREhttps://afloat.ie/safety/marine-warning/item/26428-marine-notice-aim-requirements-for-seagoing-passenger-shipshttps://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=15905https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/brazils-navy-seizes-record-36-tonnes-cocaine-2023-09-20/