The Sinaloa cartel, one of Mexico’s most feared criminal organizations, is expanding its networks in Europe, using less obvious ports to funnel drugs. Recent violent clashes in Culiacan, Mexico, between cartel factions have resulted in at least 30 deaths, leaving the city with burnt-out cars and road blockages. The army has been deployed to protect the city’s one million residents, highlighting the ongoing drug gang violence in Mexico and its far-reaching effects.
In September 2023, Irish police intercepted a large cargo ship off the coast of Cork, discovering cocaine worth an estimated £131 million. The ship, originating from South America, was believed to be distributing drugs across Ireland and Europe. This seizure, the largest in Ireland’s history, was followed by another significant haul in December at Shannon Foynes Port in Limerick, where cocaine worth £17.53 million was found. By the end of 2023, Ireland had seen record numbers of cocaine seizures, with the UN warning of increased violence due to competitive cocaine markets.
In February 2024, police found 546kg of crystal meth worth £27.4 million at Cork’s Ringaskiddy Port. Irish police estimate that around 90% of illicit products enter the country annually, suggesting that the drugs are not solely destined for Ireland. Authorities believe the Sinaloa cartel has been using Ireland for years to distribute drugs across Europe, building a network of Irish agents. The involvement of Irish gangs is crucial for South American cartels to smuggle goods across the Atlantic.
Former Peruvian anti-narcotics chief Ricardo Soberon confirmed in 2016 that the Kinahan Organised Crime Group is working with the Sinaloa Cartel. Detective Chief Superintendent Seamus Boland of the Garda Síochána noted that record-breaking drug seizures in Europe were inevitable in Ireland. Cartels continuously transport cocaine across the Atlantic to Europe, even for stockpiling purposes.
Irish ports are attractive to cartels like the Sinaloa because relying solely on major seaports like Rotterdam is too risky. Vanda Velbab-Brown from the Brookings Institute explained that drug trafficking groups need multiple ports to avoid disruptions to their business if one port is discovered.
Velbab-Brown, an expert on international organized crime, suggests that the recent surge in drug seizures at Irish ports indicates a deeper collaboration between Mexican cartels and Irish organized crime groups. Beyond diversified trafficking routes, she believes there is another reason why Ireland is valuable to groups like the Sinaloa cartel.
“We know they are starting to connect with actors in the Low Countries, the Balkans, Bulgaria, Spain, and Portugal. This is not just for importing cocaine but also for producing amphetamines. There has been an assumption that most of the mass is heading from Europe to the Asia-Pacific region.”
“In my view, it’s only a matter of time before the cartels decide whether to develop markets for fentanyl, synthetic opioids, or amphetamines in Europe itself. They will, of course, need local actors to distribute these drugs.”
Irish criminal networks, such as the Kinahans, are well-known and powerful in Europe, providing the Sinaloa cartel with excellent contacts and links, she believes.
Recently, the price of cocaine in Ireland has increased, according to the police, suggesting that port seizures are having an impact. However, despite the authorities’ optimism, challenges remain.
“Ireland can no longer hide from what’s happening globally. We are part of that global network, and no jurisdiction can shield itself from it,” said Boland.
Source: Channel 4
