logo
episode-header-image
May 2024
17m 13s

The Balkan gangsters who became Europe’s...

Reuters
About this episode
Balkan traffickers have mastered the supply of cocaine to Europe from South America, say authorities. On this special episode, journalists Gabriel Stargardter and Aleksandar Vasovic discuss how these gangs came to dominate the market and the police scramble to keep up.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices 
Up next
Yesterday
Iran hits Gulf allies, Trump Media and Taco Bell's shredded lettuce
Iran strikes Kuwait's power infrastructure for a second straight day and claims attacks on U.S. targets in Bahrain, following a seventh consecutive night of U.S. strikes on Iranian military sites. Trump Media is pitching Wall Street firms faster access to Trump's Truth Social pos ... Show More
11m 44s
Jul 17
Trump's election interference claims, Red Sea threat and wildfire smoke
President Donald Trump accuses China of 2020 election interference, contradicting his own intelligence agencies. His teleprompter operator is fired after allegedly using advance knowledge of his speeches to place bets. Iran asks the Houthis to stand ready to shut the Red Sea gate ... Show More
10m 6s
Jul 16
US-Iran escalation, Blanche grilled, Argentina v Spain and PayPal
The U.S. turns up the heat on Iran with fresh strikes on coastal defenses as Tehran calls it an "existential war." President Donald Trump's pick for U.S. Attorney General – Todd Blanche – has a bruising Senate hearing. Argentina breaks English hearts again to reach the World Cup ... Show More
10m 41s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2023
Inside the operation to bring down Italy's most feared mafia clan
The ‘Ndrangheta mafia got their start kidnapping for money but now import billions of pounds worth of cocaine into Europe every year. A pan-European raid earlier this month led to the arrest of 155 people and the seizure of 23 tons of drugs. So could this finally break a crime or ... Show More
27m 22s
Aug 2023
Cocaine Britain: Traffickers v the police
The UK is now Europe’s biggest consumer of cocaine. The drug has been linked to a surge in domestic violence and middle-class users are being warned it’s not a victimless crime. How is so much cocaine getting into the country? And what can the authorities do about it?You can read ... Show More
25m 1s
Sep 2024
Bonus episode 3: Colombia - seized and stolen again
Stephen Drill talks to journalist Richard McColl about living and working at the centre of the global cocaine trade.   Follow so you never miss an episode. To listen ad-free subscribe to Crime X+ To find out more visit cocaineinc.com.au  Get in touch: cocaineinc@thetimes.co.uk  V ... Show More
31m 47s
Jun 2024
The 64 Million Percent Mark-up | 3
As cocaine is smuggled out of South America it multiplies in value, driving people to extremes.  Stephen Drill follows the trail to Mexico and uncovers how the numbers used by law enforcement do not add up. Follow so you never miss an episode. To listen ad-free subscribe to Crime ... Show More
32m 41s
Oct 2025
Mexico's New Cocaine Kingpin is Cashing In
Deep in a heavily guarded mountain hideout in the heart of the Sierra Madre mountains, a new drug king is reigning. He is 59-year-old Nemesio “Mencho” Oseguera and his cartel has achieved dominance capitalizing on America’s resurgent love of cocaine and the Trump administration’s ... Show More
20m 21s
Jun 2024
The Pineapple Trader | 4
Europe’s vast ports act as logistic hubs in a worldwide operation that relies on corruption and torture. In the Netherlands, Fiona Hamilton reveals the industrial scale of the cocaine business - and how it always leads to violence. Follow so you never miss an episode. To listen a ... Show More
34m 48s
Jan 2024
Cocaine problems
Growing cocaine demand and booming coca leaf cultivation is fueling unrest in Ecuador. The Economist’s Ana Lankes and Will Freeman of the Council on Foreign Relations explain what’s happening in the place that until recently was Latin America’s safest country. This episode was pr ... Show More
25m 24s
Jul 2024
Introducing Cocaine Inc.
Today, we bring you the first episode of a new eight-part series.Cocaine Inc. is hosted by Fiona Hamilton, chief reporter at The Times, David Collins, northern editor at The Sunday Times, and Stephen Drill, national correspondent at News Corp Australia.Inside the global cocaine i ... Show More
27m 49s
Mar 2021
How Albania's Mafias Took Over Europe (and more)
The "Mafia Shqiptare" was forged during communism, exploded into life during a nationwide pyramid scheme, and unleashed a wave of drugs and violence across Europe from the late 90s. We dive into its most notorious bosses - and how gangs including the 'Hellbanianz' have taken over ... Show More
52m 26s
Oct 2025
Cocaine and able: drug runners innovate
America has been blowing up ships in foreign waters suspected of carrying drugs. That will do little to dent today’s narco-business, which is more inventive and adaptable than ever. Why business executives in China keep disappearing. And the jewels stolen in the brazen Louvre hei ... Show More
24m 16s
Listen to millions of songs and podcasts on Anghami