Weekly InSight
This week, InSight Crime publishes the second part of its deep dive looking at Turkey’s role in transcontinental cocaine trafficking, focusing on how Latin American cocaine is moved on to Russia and the Persian Gulf.

Elsewhere, we continue to track the repercussions of the alleged death of Colombia’s famous ex-FARC commander, Luciano Marín Arango, alias "Iván Márquez,” we break down the global boom of the pink synthetic drug, tusi, and we delve into how the sparsely populated La Mosquitia region of Honduras has become a cocaine route from Central America into the United States.

Featured

Turkish Bananas: The Cocaine Road to Russia and the Persian Gulf

Ahmet Yilmaz* shouldn’t be in a dangerous profession. He’s not a cop or a criminal. Ahmet is a banana importer in Turkey.

“This is my third decade in the industry,” he proudly told InSight Crime. “[My company] made the first transit sales from Turkey to countries [like] Iraq and Iran. Until 2010, we were the regional representative of companies such as Chiquita and Del Monte.”

Read the analysis here >

NewsAnalysis

Death of Iván Márquez Would Upend Colombia's Post-FARC Landscape


While the death of Iván Márquez, arguably the most well-known former FARC commander, has yet to be confirmed, his killing would... 

Tusi: The Pink Drug Cocktail That Tricked Latin America


A string of seizures across Latin America have revealed how “tusi,” a pink synthetic drug powder, is expanding into new countries and...
Cocaine and Narco-Politics in the Mosquitia Region of Honduras
Why Did Latin America's Drug Trade Thrive During COVID-19?
Decimation of Ex-FARC Mafia Leadership May Continue with Death of Iván Márquez
Politicians and Police Linked to Colombian Child Sex Ring
Clashes Between Cuba's Coast Guard and Human Smugglers Turning Increasingly Violent
Kidnappings of UN Staff, Diplomats in Haiti Could Help Police Get More Funding
Squid Game - Uruguay Navy Chases and Captures Chinese Fishing Vessel

Criminal Actors

Profiles of some of the notable criminal personalities and groups that have marked this week.

Browse by country >

'Iván Márquez'

Luciano Marín Arango, alias "Iván Márquez," is a former guerrilla commander who has called on demobilized fighters...

'Walter Mendoza'

José Vicente Lesmes, alias "Walter Mendoza," played a historic role within the ranks of the now...

Media Mentions

JULY 7, 2022
VICE



"A two-part analysis by InSight Crime, an investigative organization, published today and last week reveals that gangs in Turkey, a country notorious for its major role in heroin trafficking between Afghanistan to Europe, now have major interests in the cocaine trade."

Impact

Turkey as a Lynchpin in European Cocaine Pipeline

 
InSight Crime is extending its investigation into the cocaine pipeline to Europe, and tracking the growing connections between Latin American drug traffickers and European criminal organizations. This led us to Turkey, a trafficking hub and a lynchpin in the movement of drugs further east into Russia and the Persian Gulf. 

Last week, we published the first part of our in-depth report of Turkey’s role in global cocaine trafficking. This was one of our most successful pieces of the year, and was cited by large segments of the Turkish press, including Gazete Duvar. It also made waves internationally, in Vice and OCCRP, and was cited by Venezuela’s El Nacional.

Find the first installment of the Turkey deep dive here, and the newly published second half here.

 

Iván Marquez’s Alleged Demise

 
Doubts continue to swirl as to whether Iván Márquez is dead or not. But even should he only be injured, the impact on Colombia may be noteworthy. His criminal group, the Second Marquetalia, looks certain to emerge greatly weakened. 
    
InSight Crime has become a trusted point of reference for coverage concerning the dissident FARC. Our Co-director, Jeremy McDermott, was interviewed by Colombia’s Blu Radio and Caracol TV about the potential impact of Márquez’s death, while our coverage was also cited by El Universal.

 

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InSight Crime · Medellin · Medellin 0000 · Colombia