Guinea Bissau: West Africa becomes a hub for cocaine traffic to Europe
A landmark shift in trafficking routes has transformed West Africa into a hub for cocaine smuggling from South America to a booming European market, according to anti-drug officials on three continents. Drug traffickers have established a haven and transit area along the Gulf of Guinea to elude aggressive efforts to seize cocaine headed to Europe. Anti-drug officials fear the new route will worsen lawlessness in African countries already overwhelmed by crime, poverty and instability.
Colombian gangsters have brought their swagger to the tiny West African country of Guinea Bissau, setting up elaborate front companies, tooling around in flashy cars and allegedly buying high-level protection. The use of drug "mules" has increased sharply: A single flight arriving in Amsterdam from Morocco in December carried 32 West African passengers who had swallowed cocaine packets or concealed them in their luggage.
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