Western Balkan criminal groups have quietly become central actors in the global cocaine trade, extending far beyond their traditional strongholds in Europe and Latin America. Their deepening footprint in West Africa marks a new phase in the geography of organised crime.
Since 2019, the region has evolved from a peripheral stopover into a strategic hub for storage, logistics, and redistribution of cocaine bound for Europe. This transformation speaks to the Balkan cartels’ ability to exploit geography, governance gaps, and digital infrastructure to orchestrate global-scale operations.
From visitors to power brokers
Initially, the involvement of these groups in West Africa was characterised by sporadic trafficking links. However, they have since solidified their presence across the coastal states of West Africa, encompassing Senegal, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Cabo Verde. This intensified focus on West Africa stems from a confluence of factors: burgeoning demand for cocaine in Europe, heightened enforcement efforts on direct routes to Europe, and strengthened alliances with Latin American cartels, notably Brazil’s Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC). This dynamic underscores the adaptability and strategic acumen of these criminal enterprises, constantly recalibrating their methods to circumvent interdiction efforts.
The historical precedent of West Africa serving as a transit point for other illicit goods, such as cannabis and heroin, has inadvertently laid some groundwork for the current cocaine trafficking surge, providing established networks and a degree of operational familiarity.
The art of disguise: Cocaine hidden in plain trade
These Western Balkan groups employ diverse trafficking methodologies within West Africa. They exploit fully containerised routes, non-containerised shipments concealed within legitimate cargo, and engage in sophisticated trans-shipments at sea. Furthermore, they utilise in-region containerisation to obfuscate the cocaine’s true origin. This multi-faceted approach highlights a sophisticated understanding of global supply chains and maritime logistics, enabling them to blend illicit activities seamlessly with legitimate commerce.
The intricate nature of these operations makes detection and interdiction particularly challenging for law enforcement agencies with limited resources. The sheer scale of global maritime trade, with millions of containers traversing oceans annually, provides an ideal environment for concealing illicit cargo, making port security a perpetual challenge.
Brokers in the shadows
Central to their operational success are embedded brokers within West African nations. These individuals are instrumental in organising logistics, establishing necessary infrastructure, and fostering relationships with local actors. In Sierra Leone, for instance, these brokers have reportedly established companies to launder illicit funds and manage warehouses for storing and repackaging cocaine. They coordinate onward shipments through formal seaports, leveraging legitimate cargo flows. These brokers often serve multiple criminal groups, demonstrating the flexible and collaborative nature of these networks. Their structures are typically small, trusted units, bolstered by collaborators who exploit local vulnerabilities, including corrupt law enforcement, port operators, and security services.
This symbiotic relationship between external criminal groups and local facilitators is a cornerstone of the illicit cocaine trafficking ecosystem. The economic disparities and limited opportunities in many West African nations create a fertile ground for such corruption, as individuals may be lured by the substantial financial incentives offered by these criminal organisations.
West Africa: The Atlantic’s fragile gateway to Europe
The strategic importance of West Africa in global cocaine trafficking cannot be overstated. Its geographical position, bridging South America and Europe, coupled with pervasive governance weaknesses, renders it an attractive transit zone. The region’s porous borders, underdeveloped maritime surveillance capabilities, and economic vulnerabilities create an environment ripe for exploitation by organised crime. Moreover, the increasing demand for cocaine in Europe acts as a powerful economic incentive, driving the expansion and entrenchment of these criminal enterprises. The sheer volume of cocaine now transiting through West Africa underscores its transformation from a minor route to a central conduit in the transatlantic drug trade.
The historical context of West Africa as a transit point for various forms of illicit trade, including human trafficking and weapons smuggling, further solidifies its role in this nefarious global network. The existing infrastructure for illicit activities, even if not originally designed for narcotics, can be readily adapted and expanded.
Evasion as a maritime science
The methods of maritime cocaine trafficking are continually evolving. Beyond traditional containerised shipments, traffickers increasingly utilise non-containerised methods, including concealing drugs within bulk cargo, on fishing vessels, and even on smaller, faster boats that can evade detection more easily. The use of Automated Identification Systems (AIS) manipulation and other sophisticated techniques further complicates interdiction efforts. These groups also leverage corrupt officials and port workers, ensuring the smooth passage of their illicit cargo through ostensibly legitimate channels. The sophistication of these methods demands an equally sophisticated and coordinated international response.
The Atlantic route, historically significant for legitimate trade, has become a primary artery for cocaine trafficking, with cargoes departing from South American countries and making their way across the ocean. The vastness of the Atlantic Ocean provides ample opportunities for trans-shipment and evasion, making it a formidable challenge for law enforcement agencies. The sheer volume of legitimate maritime traffic also provides a convenient cover for illicit operations, allowing drug shipments to blend in with legal cargo.
Building an empire in the shadows
Looking ahead, Western Balkan groups are poised to deepen their entrenchment in West Africa. This will likely involve a gradual reduction in reliance on existing alliances with groups like the ‘Ndrangheta and the PCC, replaced by direct investments in infrastructure and protection mechanisms. Such a development portends increased corruption, potential violence, and the fragmentation of these networks into more autonomous cells, mirroring patterns observed in Latin America. The long-term consequences for stability and governance in West Africa are considerable, as the illicit economy intertwines further with local political and economic structures. The geopolitical ramifications extend beyond the immediate region, influencing international security and development efforts.
As these criminal entities consolidate their power, they can exert greater influence on local political processes, undermining democratic institutions and exacerbating instability. The potential for increased violence, as rival groups contest control over lucrative routes and territories, poses a significant threat to regional peace and security.
Turning the tide
Efforts to contain the influence of Western Balkan criminal groups in West Africa have increasingly moved toward pragmatic, intelligence-driven coordination rather than moral appeals or unilateral enforcement. Emerging strategies centre on tighter cross-continental cooperation among law enforcement agencies, port authorities, and financial intelligence units. The aim is to construct a shared operational picture—one that integrates maritime surveillance data, shipping manifests, local intelligence, and financial records. This expanded data ecosystem allows for more precise mapping of trafficking routes, risk profiling of brokers and facilitators, and faster adaptation to evolving trafficking techniques. The shift reflects a growing understanding that fragmented or reactive measures are inadequate against networks that operate seamlessly across continents.
A parallel focus has emerged on targeting the logistical and financial nodes that sustain these operations. Rather than broad interdictions, agencies are pursuing selective disruption—concentrating on brokers, transport coordinators, and money-laundering intermediaries who function as indispensable connectors within the supply chain. In several West African states, this approach coincides with gradual investments in maritime monitoring systems, judicial capacity, and data-sharing frameworks. The overarching trend is toward adaptive containment: limiting the operational freedom of criminal networks through sustained intelligence, institutional resilience, and coordinated enforcement, without overstating ambitions of full eradication.