The public safety situation in Romania is complex and marked by contrasts. Compared to other Eastern European countries, Romania maintains relatively moderate levels of violent crime, and major cities such as Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca and Timisoara continue to be regarded as relatively safe destinations for tourism and economic activity. However, the country faces significant structural problems related to corruption, organised crime, economic crime and political tensions linked to trust in institutions.

One of the main challenges is organised crime. In recent years, the Romanian authorities and European bodies have raised the alarm regarding the activities of networks involved in drug trafficking, human trafficking, cybercrime, money laundering and fraud involving European funds. In 2025, the Romanian police reported the dismantling of over one hundred organised criminal groups, many of which were linked to drugs and financial crime. This phenomenon is particularly worrying because Romania is considered a strategic transit country between Eastern and Western Europe.

Corruption remains another key factor in the debate on safety. Despite the progress made in recent years and the pressure exerted by the European Union, several international organisations believe that administrative and judicial corruption still undermines public confidence in the state. A number of recent cases involving alleged fraud amounting to millions of euros involving European funds have strengthened this perception. In 2025, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) investigated a scheme with alleged links to organised crime involving fraud of around 100 million euros in public procurement contracts in Romania. Hundreds of cases have also been opened for economic fraud and tax evasion linked to companies and criminal groups.

Public safety is also affected by the rise in economic and digital crime. Cybercrime has grown significantly in Romania, particularly computer fraud, bank scams and attacks linked to international criminal networks. The authorities have stepped up police operations and technological investigations, but experts warn that the ability of criminal groups to adapt remains faster than the institutional response capacity in some areas.

In the social sphere, economic inequalities and poverty in certain regions of the country contribute to petty urban crime. Burglaries, thefts and petty crimes are the most common incidents in urban areas and transport hubs. However, rates of homicide and gun violence remain lower than in other European countries facing similar challenges. Police forces maintain a visible presence in major cities, and the government has stepped up security measures at strategic infrastructure sites and borders.

In recent years, concerns have also grown regarding political stability and foreign influence, particularly in the wake of the war in Ukraine and tensions with Russia in the Black Sea region. In 2025, the Romanian authorities announced the arrest of several individuals accused of conspiring against the state with alleged Russian contacts. These cases have intensified the debate on national security, disinformation and hybrid threats in Romania, a NATO member state and a strategic player in Eastern Europe.

At the same time, there are also concerns regarding the functioning of the judicial and police systems. Various protests and public complaints have raised questions about possible abuses, political interference and a lack of transparency within the Romanian justice system. This situation directly affects the public’s perception of public safety, as a section of the population believes that the fight against corruption has weakened in recent years.

In conclusion, Romania is today a relatively safe country in terms of everyday violence, but it continues to face significant structural challenges linked to organised crime, corruption and institutional trust. Public safety depends not only on policing, but also on the state’s ability to strengthen the judicial system, reduce social inequalities and maintain political stability in a regional context that is increasingly sensitive from a geopolitical perspective.

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The recent dismantling of a criminal network dedicated to online fraud highlights how much these scams have evolved into highly professional and difficult-to-detect structures. The operation, coordinated by Europol and Eurojust together with the authorities of Austria and Albania, led to the arrest of ten individuals, the dismantling of several call centres, and the confiscation of nearly 900,000 euros in cash, as well as a large amount of computer equipment.

The core of the criminal activity was located in several call centresin Tirana, from which an organisation operated with a surprisingly similar structure to that of a legitimate business. With up to 450 employees distributed across departments such as human resources, finance, IT, and customer service, the group operated with clear hierarchies, specialised teams, and defined business objectives. This level of organisation explains the enormous scope of the scam, which is believed to have caused losses exceeding 50 million euros to victims around the world.

The mechanism used was based on fake investment platforms that appeared to be legitimate opportunities. Victims were lured through misleading advertisements on social media or web search engines, where they were promised high returns with little risk. Once registered, they were contacted by agents posing as financial advisors. These «professionals» established a continuous relationship with the victims, gaining their trust and encouraging them to invest increasingly larger amounts.

One of the key elements of the deception was the use of psychological manipulation techniques combined with technological tools. In many cases, fraudsters asked victims to install remote access software, which allowed them to control devices and simulate seemingly real investment operations. This reinforced the illusion of credibility and made it easier for victims to continue transferring money, convinced that they were obtaining benefits.

In reality, the money was never invested. They were diverted through a complex international money laundering network until they disappeared into the hands of the criminal organisation. Moreover, the criminals were not limited to a single scam: in many cases, they would re-contact the same victims offering fake services to recover the lost money. This type of «double scam» exploits the vulnerability of the victims and can generate significant additional losses.

Another determining factor in the success of the organisation was its capacity for linguistic and cultural adaptation. The teams were made up of groups of six to eight people specialised in different languages, such as German, English, Italian, Greek, or Spanish, which allowed them to address victims from various countries with a high degree of proximity and trust. This seemingly minor detail is actually one of the keys to the efficacy of this type of fraud.

The investigation was initiated in Austria in 2023, following the detection of a high number of victims in Vienna. Subsequently, thanks to international cooperation and the exchange of information, the activity could be traced to Albania. The creation of a joint investigation and operational coordination team culminated in a police action on 17 April 2026, with raids on workplaces and private homes, as well as the confiscation of hundreds of electronic devices that are now being analysed.

This case highlights the importance of international cooperation in the fight against cybercrime, especially when it comes to transnational organisations operating from multiple jurisdictions. It also highlights the need to strengthen user awareness regarding investment promises that seem too good to be true.

From the perspective of security, there are several key indicators that can help identify potential scams: offers with guaranteed or excessively high returns, pressure to invest immediately, requests to install remote access software, or unsolicited contacts through digital channels. Similarly, one should be wary of any service that promises to recover lost money in exchange for an upfront payment.

Ultimately, this operation has not only dismantled a large-scale criminal network but also provides a clear picture of how modern investment scams operate. The combination of technology, business organisation, and emotional manipulation makes them a growing threat that requires both coordinated police action and an informed and critical citizenry.

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Digital scams have become one of the main global threats in recent years, with a level of sophistication and organisation that continues to grow. The case of Kirsty, a British woman deceived through a romantic scam, exemplifies how these criminal networks operate today: with credible false identities, advanced technologies, and an international infrastructure that greatly hinders their detection and prosecution.

In this case, the fraudster impersonated a businessman with a comfortable life, using attractive photographs and even a fake banking website to gain the victim’s trust. After weeks of emotional involvement, he faked an emergency to get money. The result was devastating: the victim transferred tens of thousands of pounds, many of which were requested from family members, believing that they were helping a loved one. In reality, the money was distributed through an international network with connections to several countries.

This type of scam is not an isolated case. According to recent data, fraud accounts for more than 40% of crimes against individuals in some countries, and global losses exceed half a trillion dollars annually. Romance scams, in particular, have experienced a strong increase, driven by the massive use of digital platforms and social networks.

One of the key factors in this growth has been the COVID-19 pandemic. During the lockdowns, millions of people increased their online presence, both to socialise and to shop or work. This created an ideal environment for fraudsters, who took advantage of the situation to perfect their techniques. At the same time, technological advancement has facilitated the creation of very realistic fake content, such as synthesized voices, manipulated videos, or websites that are almost indistinguishable from real ones.

Current scams are often transnational operations, with infrastructures spread across the globe. In many cases, these activities are carried out from regions with little capacity for control by the authorities, such as conflict zones or areas with weak governments. Myanmar, for example, has become one of the epicentres of these fraud centres, where buildings that once housed illegal casinos now serve as bases for criminal operations.

An especially concerning aspect is that not all fraudsters act voluntarily. Many people are lured by false job offers and end up being victims of human trafficking. Once they arrive at these centres, their passports are confiscated and they are forced to work in extreme conditions, under threats and violence, with very demanding economic targets. This creates a double layer of victimhood: that of the one who loses money and that of the one who is forced to participate in the fraud.

In light of this reality, the fight against scams requires a global and coordinated response. Recently, important steps have been taken in this direction, such as the signing of international agreements to strengthen cooperation between countries, technology companies, and security forces. However, this cooperation is still limited and unequal. Many of the countries where these activities are concentrated do not have the resources or the technical capabilities necessary to combat them effectively.

Experts highlight the need to share knowledge, technology, and resources between developed and developing countries. The investigation of modern fraud requires specialised profiles, such as data analysts, cryptocurrency experts, or digital investigators, which are not always available everywhere.

The role of large technology companies is also key. Platforms such as social media, messaging applications, or dating sites are often the entry point for scams. Some companies have begun to implement stricter measures, such as the detection and mass removal of fake accounts or the prevention of downloads of malicious applications. However, many experts believe that a deeper and more operational involvement is still necessary.

Despite the complexity of the problem, there are success stories that demonstrate that cooperation can work. What is more, in some cases, rapid communication between authorities from different countries has allowed for the blocking of transfers and the recovery of money before it completely disappeared.

In conclusion, modern scams are a global, dynamic, and highly sophisticated phenomenon that combines technology, psychology, and international criminal networks. Combating them requires not only police action but also citizen education, corporate responsibility, and much closer international cooperation. Meanwhile, the best defence is still prevention: to be wary of suspicious situations, verify identities, and avoid making economic decisions under emotional pressure.

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In March 2026, an international operation coordinated by German authorities with the support of Europol culminated in one of the largest actions against cybercrime and child abuse networks on the dark web. Known as Operation Alice, this initiative brought together law enforcement from 23 countries with the aim of dismantling a massive infrastructure of fraudulent sites linked to illegal content and criminal services.

The investigation, initiated in 2021, revealed that a single operator controlled more than 373,000 «.onion» domains, that is, sites accessible through the Tor network designed to conceal the identity and location of both servers and users. This figure places the case as one of the largest ever detected in this area.

The portals simulated offering child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and other cybercrime services, such as the sale of credit card data or illegal access to computer systems. However, it was primarily a fraudulent operation: customers paid—usually in Bitcoin—but did not receive any content.

The announced «packages» ranged from 17 to 215 euros and promised large volumes of data. This model combined two criminal dimensions: the exploitation of extremely serious content and a massive global scam.

Between 9 and 19 March 2026, the authorities achieved significant results:

• Identification of the main operator of the network
• Identification of 440 clients worldwide
• Closure of more than 373,000 sites on the dark web
• Confiscation of 105 servers
• Seizure of electronic devices and digital data

According to the authorities, the responsible party is a 35-year-old male residing in China, who would have generated more than 345,000 euros in profits from about 10,000 clients. During the period of activity, he managed up to 287 servers simultaneously, many of which were located in Germany.

One of the most relevant aspects of the operation is that not only has the supply been targeted, but also the demand. The 440 individuals identified as clients are considered suspicious, despite not having received the advertised material.

From a legal and security standpoint, the mere attempt to acquire such content constitutes a serious crime in many jurisdictions. Additionally, security forces consider these individuals as high-risk targets, as they may be involved in other criminal activities or pose a potential threat.

Throughout the investigation, the authorities acted immediately in those cases where minors in risk situations could be identified. This dimension is key: beyond the repression of crime, whose primary objective is the protection of victims.

For example, in 2023, action was taken in the case of an individual in Germany who had attempted to acquire illegal material, which led to his subsequent conviction. These types of actions demonstrate how the obtained intelligence can have a direct impact on abuse prevention.

Europol played a key role in coordinating the operation, facilitating the exchange of information between countries and providing advanced analytical capabilities. It also contributed decisively to the tracking of cryptocurrency transactions, a key element for identifying both the operator and the users. This case demonstrates that, despite the use of anonymization technologies such as Tor or payments in Bitcoin, law enforcement can reconstruct criminal activity through digital forensic analysis and international cooperation.

Operation Alice sends a strong message: anonymity on the internet is not absolute, and criminal infrastructures, no matter how sophisticated, can be dismantled. The combination of digital investigation techniques, financial tracking, and international collaboration has consolidated as an effective tool against global cybercrime.

For the security sector, this case highlights several key lessons: the importance of shared intelligence, the need to address both supply and demand, and the value of technology in combating complex threats.

Ultimately, this is an operation that has not only dismantled a massive network but also strengthens the global capacity to detect, pursue, and prevent serious forms of online criminality.

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The UK government has announced a significant boost in the fight against waste-related crime, a phenomenon often underestimated but with a growing impact on both public safety and the economy and the environment. The new strategy includes granting police-style powers to agents of the Environment Agency, aiming to improve their intervention capacity, pursue criminal networks, and prevent illegal activities before they become established.

This movement reflects a significant change in the institutional perception of the problem: environmental crime is no longer seen as an administrative or minor infraction but is treated as a form of serious organised crime. The networks involved in illegal dumping, fraudulent waste transport, or illicit landfill management often operate with sophisticated structures, generating high profits and exploiting regulatory gaps and limitations in inspection capacity.

The new legislative proposal aims to expand the powers of environmental officers under legal frameworks such as the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) and the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA). In practice, this would allow inspectors to have tools similar to those of the police, including broader investigative capabilities, access to evidence, arrests under certain circumstances, and, in particular, the ability to trace and seize the economic benefits derived from criminal activity.

From a security perspective, this approach is especially relevant because it targets one of the main incentives for this type of crime: economic profit. Waste crime generates approximately £1 billion annually, making it an attractive sector for organised criminal groups. By applying financial mechanisms, such as those provided for in the POCA, the government seeks to dismantle these business models, reducing the profitability of illegal activities.

Another key element of the new strategy is the improvement of institutional coordination. The Joint Unit for Waste Crime (JUWC), which brings together various bodies such as law enforcement and national agencies, has been strengthened with specialists in investigation, intelligence, and financial analysis. This multidisciplinary approach is essential to tackle networks that often operate at a regional or national level, using shell companies and complex money laundering systems.

In addition, the government is exploring new avenues of collaboration with the private sector, especially banks and financial institutions. The objective is to facilitate the exchange of information about suspicious actors, so that these entities can make informed decisions and avoid doing business with companies linked to waste crime. This approach aligns with broader trends in security, where public-private cooperation is key to detecting and disrupting illicit activities.

The measures also have a preventive and community dimension. The increase in illegal discharges and unauthorised waste sites not only causes environmental damage but also directly impacts citizens’ perception of safety. Degraded and poorly managed spaces can contribute to a sense of institutional abandonment, fostering other forms of crime and weakening social cohesion. To combat these problems, the government has launched initiatives for broader community regeneration and improvements to public spaces.

Recent results show that law enforcement is already having effects, with over a hundred judicial proceedings and the closure of more than a thousand illegal waste sites in just over a year. However, authorities recognise that the problem continues to evolve, with increasingly adaptive and technologically sophisticated criminals. For this reason, they consider it necessary to provide the agents with more tools and operational flexibility.

Despite the potential benefits, this expansion of powers also raises relevant questions. The granting of police-like powers to non-police agencies requires clear guarantees regarding supervision, training, and accountability. It is essential to ensure that the use of these powers is proportional, transparent, and respectful of individual rights, avoiding potential abuses or overlaps in competencies.

In conclusion, the new strategy of the UK against waste crime represents a significant evolution in security policies. By recognising this activity as a serious and organised threat, and by empowering environmental agents with enhanced powers, the government is betting on a more robust, coordinated, and results-oriented response. If implemented in a balanced manner, this model can contribute not only to reducing environmental crime but also to strengthening security, public trust, and environmental protection.

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An international criminal network that laundered the profits of cocaine for Italian organised crime has been dismantled after investigators traced the money across Europe.

What began as suspicious financial movements constituted a sophisticated money laundering system that served members of the Camorra and the ‘Ndrangheta. Behind shell companies, fake invoices, and luxury investments, millions of euros in cocaine profits were being cleaned and reinvested throughout Europe.

The investigation was led by the French National Gendarmerie, in collaboration with the Italian Carabinieri and the Swiss Federal Office of Police (fedpol). It was supported by the Belgian Judicial Federal Police of Antwerp, the Bulgarian State Agency for National Security, the German Customs and the Ecuadorian National Police, under the coordination of Europol and Eurojust.

As a result of the financial flows, investigators identified a Montenegrin citizen, known as a high-value target of Europol and wanted by several European countries. The suspect had settled in the Cannes area of France, with close relatives, including his Italian son-in-law, known to the Italian authorities for money laundering, fraud, and arms trafficking offences.

The financial investigation revealed that the money laundering network was directly linked to large-scale cocaine trafficking from South America to Europe.

It is suspected that the group coordinates maritime shipments of significant quantities of cocaine to the main ports of Europe. A major seizure by the Belgian customs at the end of 2025 was linked to the Montenegrin suspect, marking a decisive breakthrough in the investigation.

Investigators discovered a highly structured organisation. The network was based on substantial financial capacity, crypto assets, weekly cross-border travel in luxury vehicles with sophisticated concealment compartments, and a corporate network spanning multiple jurisdictions.

In February of this year, the authorities carried out coordinated arrests and searches in France, Italy, Belgium, and Switzerland. Seven suspects have been arrested (four in France, three in Italy), including the high-value Montenegrin target.

In the French Riviera, luxury vehicles were seized, along with high-end properties worth more than 5 million euros. Additional companies and assets were also seized in Switzerland and Italy.

Europol has supported this investigation since 2023, and it quickly became one of the most active operations of the Agency within its European Financial and Economic Crime Centre.

The case deployed the full range of Europol services: advanced criminal and financial analysis, secure real-time communication, and on-the-ground deployments in France and Italy to support national investigators and build a shared operational picture.

In 2024, a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) was established at Eurojust between France, Italy, and Switzerland, allowing for close judicial coordination. Through Europol, other partners (Belgium, Germany, and Ecuador) joined the investigation, expanding its impact.

The @ON Network, funded by the European Commission and led by the Italian Anti-Mafia Investigation Directorate (DIA), provided financial support for operational meetings and the deployment of investigators.

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In recent months, several supermarkets in the United Kingdom have begun to implement unusual security measures on a seemingly harmless product: chocolate. Chains such as Sainsbury’s, as well as Tesco and Co-op, have chosen to place chocolate bars inside anti-theft plastic boxes, a system usually reserved for premium alcoholic beverages or electronic devices.

This decision responds to a significant increase in chocolate theft, which, according to the sector, is no longer the result of occasional thefts, but rather a systematic activity linked to organised crime and resale in illegal markets.

According to the Association of Convenience Stores(ACS), confectionery—especially chocolate—has become one of the most shoplifted products in convenience stores. Its combination of economic value, easy transport, and high demand makes it an especially attractive target.

Merchants report that thefts are often carried out on request. This implies that the products are not consumed immediately but are subsequently distributed through illegal channels: other establishments, informal markets, or businesses that purchase goods at reduced prices without verifying their origin.

This phenomenon is not isolated. According to data from the British Retail Consortium, during the last year, there were 5.5 million incidents of theft in retail establishments in the United Kingdom. In addition, an average of 1,600 daily incidents of violence or abuse against retail sector workers occurred. Although the figure represents a slight decrease compared to the previous year, it remains the second highest ever recorded.

The economic impact is considerable. The Heart of England Co-op group, with 38 stores, reported a loss of £250,000 in chocolate during 2024, making it the most stolen product that year. In 2025, it was only surpassed by alcohol. In just one week, an individual can cause losses of thousands of pounds in the same establishment.

Some merchants explain that a full shelf of chocolate can have an approximate value of 500 pounds, and that thieves can take between 200 and 250 pounds of product in a backpack in a matter of minutes.

In light of this situation, establishments have had to invest in protective measures: more sophisticated CCTV systems, artificial intelligence technology to identify recurring suspects, reduction of exposed stock, and elimination of visible promotions in easily accessible areas. In some cases, the shelves are only partially filled to limit the potential economic impact.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council assured that it is working together with retailers and security experts to strengthen the response to retail crime. The strategy includes better coordination, more efficient use of technology, and more agile reporting systems.

However, the commercial sector is calling for a more forceful response. The ACS calls for harsher sentences for repeat offenders and specific actions against networks that distribute stolen products, as the problem is not limited to isolated theft, but is part of a parallel economy that can finance other criminal activities.

The case of chocolate is symptomatic of a broader problem: the increase of organised theft in retail. Products that previously did not require special protection are now treated as high-risk goods. This evolution reflects changes in criminal behaviour but also in socioeconomic conditions and in the ability to resell through informal or digital channels.

For the security sector, this phenomenon poses several challenges:

• Adapting protection systems for mass consumer products.
• Balancing customer experience and anti-theft measures.
• Incorporating predictive technology and pattern analysis.
• Improving collaboration between businesses and security forces.

Ultimately, the fact that a simple chocolate bar must be kept under lock and key is a clear indicator of the evolution of risk in the current business environment. The response cannot be limited to physical measures; it requires a comprehensive strategy that combines prevention, intelligence, and effective judicial action.

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 In an article in The Conversation, Felia Allum, a professor of comparative organised crime at the University of Bath, analyses the rise in drug-related murders in France and argues that the country is at a «turning point» in its relationship with organised crime. The case that symbolises this turn is the murder of Mehdi Kessaci, brother of an anti-drug activist in Marseille, a crime interpreted as an intimidating message in the context of an escalation of violence. Between 2023 and 2024, 73 people died in Marseille in incidents related to the drug trade, many of them young individuals recruited online with the promise of quick money. Similar episodes have also occurred in Grenoble, Paris, Nîmes, Montpellier, Nice, and Lyon.

Marseille has become the symbolic epicentre of this crisis. The group that currently dominates part of the drug market in France calls itself Mafia DZ, but Allum stresses that it is not a classic mafia like the Italian ones. It does not conform to the traditional hierarchical structure or the historical model of territorial control and institutional infiltration characteristic of certain Italian organisations. This forces us to avoid simplifications and labels such as «narcostate» or «narcoterrorism,» which may attract media attention but do not always help to understand the phenomenon.

According to the author, organised crime does not appear out of nowhere nor is it imposed solely by force. It takes root when it finds empty spaces that the State and society are not adequately occupying. Historically, mafia structures and cartels have consolidated during periods of profound transformation of the state, as occurred in Italy during the 19th-century unification or in the United States during full industrialisation. In these contexts of accelerated change, institutions were still weak or unstable, and non-state actors filled the power vacuums.

However, in the current French case, it is not a state under construction, but rather a consolidated state immersed in a liberal economic model where social, educational, and economic inequalities have deepened. Allum, drawing inspiration from the political scientist Susan Strange, points out that the authority of the State has eroded in favour of the markets and that the welfare model has become increasingly bureaucratised and privatised. When the social fabric weakens and real opportunities are scarce, criminal networks offer a seemingly attractive alternative: immediate income, identity, respect, and a sense of belonging.

In neighbourhoods with high rates of youth unemployment and school failure, drug trafficking can become a fast track to success, although it is extremely dangerous. Organisations impose their own rules on vendors and recruits, generate parallel economies, and, in some cases, obtain a certain level of social tolerance based on fear or economic dependence. Organised crime does not only operate against the community; it often integrates and establishes complex links.

Faced with this situation, President Emmanuel Macron ‘s government has proposed a set of measures aimed at strengthening the criminal and police response. Among them, the creation of a new national anti-organised crime directorate (PNACO) stands out, with specialised prosecutors to pursue drug trafficking networks at the French and European levels. Witness protection programs are also provided for, along with stricter prison conditions for network leaders and an expansion of asset seizure mechanisms. France looks to the Italian model of the 1990s as a legislative reference.

In addition, the government wants to increase penalties for consumers, with higher fines and possible restrictions such as taking away people’s driving licences or jobs. This strategy is based on the idea that it is necessary to act across the entire chain, from the chiefs to the final demand.

However, Allum warns that reactive and punitive measures alone do not address the structural causes of the problem. Criminal networks have a great capacity for adaptation: when one structure is dismantled, another can emerge, often with operations coordinated from abroad. Without an intervention that addresses inequalities, the lack of opportunities, and the disconnection between institutions and citizens, the phenomenon tends to reproduce itself.

The fight against drug trafficking is not just a matter of police reinforcement or criminal reform. It is also a matter of social cohesion, comprehensive public policies, and rebuilding the bond between the State and the most vulnerable neighbourhoods. Sustainable security is not built solely on increased repression, but on prevention, social investment, and real alternatives for young people who today see the drug market as the only possible horizon.

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Over the past two years, major ports in north-western Europe have seen a notable drop in cocaine seizures. At first glance, this trend could be interpreted as a success for security policies. Ports such as Rotterdam, Antwerp and Hamburg, which for years had been the main gateways for cocaine entering the continent, have stepped up controls, international cooperation and anti-corruption measures. However, a more in-depth analysis reveals a more complex reality: the decline in interventions does not necessarily imply a reduction in trafficking, but rather a transformation of its dynamics.

Market indicators do not point to a shortage. In several Western European countries, wholesale and retail prices have fallen while demand remains stable or is growing. This suggests a scenario of oversupply, consistent with the sustained increase in production in countries such as Colombia. In other words, police pressure has not stopped the flow, but rather forced criminal organisations to innovate.

One clear adaptation is the change in the size of shipments. Large shipments of several tonnes, which are highly profitable but also very risky, have given way to smaller, more frequent shipments. This fragmentation reduces losses in the event of interception and makes detection more difficult using traditional intelligence patterns.

When surveillance increases at one point, trafficking shifts to other routes. This phenomenon, known as the waterbed effect, is already visible in Europe. The tightening of controls in Rotterdam, Antwerp and Hamburg has been accompanied by an increase in activity in ports in the north and east of the continent, as well as in the Baltic region and south-eastern Europe.

This redistribution entails additional risks: the arrival of new criminal players, increased violent competition, pressure on institutions with fewer resources and greater vulnerability to corruption. The result is not less cocaine, but a problem that is more dispersed and difficult to manage in a coordinated manner.

Criminal organisations have also become more sophisticated in their methods of concealment. In addition to trafficking in containers, practices such as hidden discharges into the sea under the hull of ships or the use of liquid and chemically modified cocaine to camouflage it as legal products are observed. Extraction and processing laboratories are also proliferating within European territory, a worrying sign of the illicit value chain moving closer to home.

This phenomenon is accompanied by a growing presence of Latin American criminal organisations in Europe, such as Brazil’s Primeiro Comando da Capital, the Clan del Golfo and the Sinaloa Cartel. Their establishment not only strengthens distribution networks, but also facilitates the transfer of knowledge, contacts and logistical capacity.

Given this scenario, the response cannot be exclusively national. Cooperation and information exchange initiatives are essential. Strengthening Europol’s mandate and enhancing Eurojust’s judicial tools are necessary steps to prevent local success from creating regional vulnerabilities.

The fight against drug trafficking is no longer just a matter of physically intercepting goods, but of intelligence, anticipation and shared strategic vision. The seizure data alone can create a false sense of control. The real challenge is understanding that this is a highly adaptable adversary.

Reducing interventions may seem like a victory, but it could actually be a mirage. Only through sustained cooperation, forward-looking analysis and a comprehensive approach to security can we prevent the problem from simply changing form while continuing to grow.

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Marseille is experiencing an escalation of violence linked to drug trafficking that has generated what authorities, legal professionals, and community actors describe as a collective psychosis: a state of constant fear, social trauma, and a perception of the State’s loss of control over parts of the urban territory. The most alarming element of this crisis is the rise in murders of minors and the increasing role of adolescents, even children, both as victims and as coerced actors within criminal networks.

The case that has recently shaken public opinion is the murder of Adel, a 15-year-old boy, executed with a shot to the head and subsequently burned on a beach in the city. His body was discovered by other children who were going to school, an episode that symbolises to what extent violence has become normalised and has turned public, visible, and seemingly arbitrary.

According to data from the French Ministry of Justice, the number of minors involved in drug trafficking has quadrupled in the last eight years. In Marseille, drug trafficking has evolved into a fragmented yet highly competitive model, where a dominant organisation (the so-called DZ Mafia) operates through a franchise-type structure, with multiple points of sale managed by young recruits, often through social networks.

This new criminal ecosystem is characterised by:

• Disappearance of traditional codes of organised crime (not attacking during the day, not exposing bodies, not involving minors).
• Extreme and demonstrative violence, including public executions, burned bodies, and the dissemination of videos on social networks.
• Mass recruitment of minors, many of whom are migrants or vulnerable adolescents, often subjected to coercion, fictitious debts, and physical violence.

Local actors describe a situation of criminal anarchy, where the logic of fear has replaced any stable hierarchy. Young people, exposed daily to violent deaths, have lost both the fear of killing and the fear of dying.

The murder of Mehdi Kessaci, a 20-year-old probationary police officer with no links to drug trafficking, marked a turning point. It is believed that his death was an intimidating message directed at his brother, Amine Kessaci, an anti-drug activist and emerging figure in the local political arena. This case reinforces the perception that even institutional actors or their family members are not beyond the reach of gangs.

Lawyers, journalists, and activists have begun to reduce or abandon their activities, or to carry them out under police protection for fear of retaliation. Some legal professionals openly claim that the rule of law has been subordinated to the power of gangs in certain neighbourhoods.

In light of this situation, the authorities have intensified police operations through what they call “security bombings»: massive and repeated interventions in high-crime areas, with riot units, closure of sales points, and constant arrests.

These figures show significant activity:

• More than 40 recently dismantled points of sale.
• €42 million in seized criminal assets in one year.
• An estimate of up to 20,000 persons directly or indirectly involved in the drug trade in Marseille.
• A national drug trafficking market valued at 7 billion euros annually.

However, even police officials and prosecutors acknowledge that many of those detained are exploited youths, some held against their will, and that repression does not stop the constant flow of new recruits.

One of the most concerning elements is the open use of TikTok and other social media to advertise the sale of drugs and recruit minors with seemingly legitimate «job» offers. High earnings are promised (€200-500 daily), but the reality is often one of modern slavery, with violence, sexual abuse, and threats against families.

The crisis has reopened an intense political debate. Far-right sectors demand a state of emergency, greater powers for the police, and severe immigration restrictions, attributing the problem to mass immigration and the failure of integration. Other voices such as lawyers, experts and journalists reject this interpretation and warn against the use of fear as a political tool. They argue that violence is the result of decades of social neglect, structural poverty, corruption, and failed public policies, and that police repression only addresses the symptoms, not the causes.

Marseille exemplifies a hybrid security crisis, where organised crime, social exclusion, digitalisation of crime, and weakening of institutional trust converge. The psychosis spreading through the city is not just fear of violence, but the feeling that the social order is eroding and that traditional solutions are no longer sufficient.

For security experts, the case of Marseille raises a key question: how to regain control without fuelling a spiral of repression that ends up exacerbating the very problem that one seeks to resolve.

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