Latin American cartels expand operations across 16 European countries, Guardian probe finds

A four-month Guardian investigation reveals that Latin American organised crime groups now operate in at least 16 European countries, having forged close ties with local mafia networks. Cocaine seizures in Europe have increased more than fivefold in a decade, indicating a structural shift in the continent's drug trade. The findings are based on databases, police and intelligence sources, and interviews across eight countries, but the exact scale and operational depth remain uncertain.