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The cocaine blocks seized were concealed within multiple suitcases and cartons, though no mention of logos or markings. 3/3

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This operation followed an investigation running since July 2026, targeting a criminal group accused of trafficking at least 590 kg of cocaine in total. In a related operation at the end of August, a female courier was detained while receiving 130 kg of cocaine. 2/3

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Germany: The Joint Narcotics Investigation Group Hessen (GER) arrested three men aged 17 to 38 at Frankfurt Airport while attempting to smuggle 22 kg of cocaine hidden in suitcases and cartons. 1/3

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Radulov, previously convicted and paroled from a life sentence in Moldova, had operated across Moldova, Romania, and Bulgaria since the 1990s and was tracked down following his release and flight from Moldova. 2/2

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Türkiye: National Intelligence Organization [MIT] and police arrested Iurie Radulov, a 63-year-old Moldovan gang leader and contract-killing network figure wanted internationally for 10 murders and 11 attempted murders, during a raid at a safe house in Istanbul's Fatih district. 1/2

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The seizure was the country's largest recorded drug importation intended for domestic distribution. Kim had previously served six years in prison for a separate methamphetamine smuggling and firearms case. 4/4

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The container departed Thailand's Laem Chabang port in March and arrived at Incheon, where authorities intercepted it before any drugs could be distributed. Investigators say part of the shipment was intended for South Korean buyers, with the remainder destined for yakuza groups in Japan. 3/4

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Kim Jong-bok, 53, worked with a drug trafficking network based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, to arrange the shipment. The marijuana was vacuum-sealed, concealed in a shipping container and reportedly purchased using cryptocurrency to avoid financial tracing. 2/4

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South Korea: A senior member of Japan's Kudo-kai yakuza syndicate has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for coordinating the shipment of 636 kg (1,402 pounds) of marijuana from Thailand to South Korea, with plans to supply Japanese organized crime groups. 1/4

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Bolivia: An armed confrontation occurred between suspected drug traffickers and the Rural Patrol Mobile Unit (Umopar) during an anti-drug operation at a clandestine airstrip in Villa Tunari, Cochabamba. Agents discovered a small aircraft used for transporting drugs.

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El Parce and his sister were detained in Quito and transferred to the Encuentro maximum-security prison in Santa Elena. 4/4

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During the operations, police seized 60 kg of drugs, cash, and six vehicles; the drugs, including flavored marijuana, were intended for street-level distribution in Quito nightlife venues. 3/4

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Authorities accuse El Parce of managing the group's financial operations, including money laundering through bank transfers and deposits, and direct involvement in drug trafficking, extortion, and robbery. 2/4

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Crime Intel @worldcrimeintel.bsky.social · 20h

Ecuador: Police detained Jonathan Obed Cepeda Reza, alias El Parce, identified as the leader of a Los Lobos faction, along with ten other members, following a twelve-month investigation across Pichincha, Cotopaxi, Tungurahua, and Santa Elena provinces. 1/4

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The seizure followed the use of nonintrusive inspection technology and a CBP canine team, which both detected anomalies in the vehicle's gas tank, revealing a tampered, nonfactory compartment containing 110 packages of cocaine. 2/2

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Crime Intel @worldcrimeintel.bsky.social · 20h

USA: CBP officers at the San Ysidro Port of Entry intercepted 119 kg of cocaine hidden inside the gas tank of a 2004 MCI Dina commercial passenger bus driven by a Mexican national. 1/2

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Puerto Rico: Authorities intercepted a boat carrying 594 kg of cocaine south of Guayanilla during a maritime patrol by CBP. Three Venezuelan nationals were arrested after the vessel was stopped in the early morning hours.

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He is also being investigated over suspected laundering through contraband cigarette trading. Arrested in Costa Rica on October 2, Tam is being held in maximum-security detention while US extradition proceedings continue. 5/5

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Investigators also recorded discussions about converting large amounts of cash into digital assets. Authorities suspect Tam provided financial and logistical services to Mexico's Sinaloa and Gulf cartels and Colombia's Clan del Golfo. 4/5

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According to DEA evidence described in Costa Rican court records, undercover agents negotiated cocaine purchases with Tam, including a January 2026 delivery of approximately 6 kg paid for with $25,200 in cryptocurrency and another delivery of roughly 7 kg in February. 3/5

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Guobin Tam Zhang, also known as Juan Carlos Tam Cheong, allegedly helped coordinate cocaine shipments to the US and converted criminal proceeds into cryptocurrency. 2/5

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Crime Intel @worldcrimeintel.bsky.social · 22h

Costa Rica: A Chinese-born Costa Rican businessman accused of laundering drug money for major Latin American cartels has been arrested for extradition to the US. 1/5

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Acting on intelligence, officers discovered two industrial tablet-pressing machines, generators, cooking pots, gas burners and other drug manufacturing equipment. Five South African suspects were arrested, and a licensed firearm was recovered. 2/2

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Crime Intel @worldcrimeintel.bsky.social · 22h

South Africa: Police raided a farm in Krugersdorp, west of Johannesburg, uncovering a clandestine laboratory producing large quantities of Mandrax and ecstasy tablets. Mandrax is a methaqualone-based sedative closely associated with Quaaludes, while ecstasy typically contains MDMA. 1/2

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The trafficking technique involved concealing cocaine within the container’s structural elements rather than among the cargo, reflecting evolving narco tactics referenced by Europol, including the use of commercial machinery and equipment. 3/3

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Four individuals were arrested in the act while attempting to recover the drugs from the semi-trailer. The operation began after a patrol in the customs area noticed suspicious activity around the parked truck, including unusual movements and vehicles performing odd maneuvers. 2/3

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Italy: Over 128 kg of cocaine were seized from 119 brick-shaped packages hidden in a vertical partition inside an empty container that had previously carried lemons from Chile and was parked in a lot near the port of Prà, Genoa. 1/3

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The group also demanded payments from other criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking and prostitution, while channeling financial support to the Casalesi clan. The Supreme Court upheld Donadio’s 30-year sentence and a 29-year-and-six-month sentence for his associate Raffaele Buonanno. 4/4

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Investigators uncovered mafia control and intimidation involving construction companies, restaurants, extortion, loan sharking and money laundering. 3/4

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The organization, led by Luciano Donadio [pic], established itself around Eraclea in northeastern Italy, far from the Casalesi clan’s traditional stronghold near Naples. 2/4

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