Cartels Shift Operations Toward Europe as Drone Use Grows

Latin American criminal networks are expanding operations toward Europe on October 13, 2026, as law enforcement pressure in the Western Hemisphere pushes groups to adapt routes, while authorities in the Americas and Europe track new logistics methods, including drone use and synthetic drug production.

A four-month investigation by The Guardian, published through Magzter, found that criminal organizations from Latin America have strengthened links with European networks as cocaine trafficking expands across the continent.

According to the investigation, cocaine seizures in Europe increased by 471 percent between 2014 and 2024, reflecting a broader expansion of trafficking activity and the development of new supply routes.

The Texas Policy report said several criminal groups are adjusting after facing greater pressure in parts of Latin America. The report highlighted Europe as an increasingly important destination for synthetic drugs and alternative trafficking operations.

Law enforcement officials have also documented changes in the use of technology. The Texas Policy report said explosive attacks involving commercial drones have become more common, including a strike on a prosecutor's office in Tijuana, Mexico, using drones carrying nails.

KOTA reported that Kristi Noem, a former South Dakota governor now serving as a special envoy for the Shield of the Americas initiative, said authorities are targeting criminal organizations and prioritizing security in the hemisphere.

The Texas Policy report said the coalition coordinates intelligence and operations against trafficking networks, with Mexico, Brazil, Cuba and Nicaragua listed as exceptions to its regional cooperation framework.

The same report said criminal groups have also recruited people with military experience for specialized skills, including explosives and drone operations. Mexican authorities arrested former Colombian soldiers in connection with mine attacks in Michoacán, according to the report.

The Guardian investigation found that Latin American networks have developed partnerships with local mafia organizations in Europe, while law enforcement agencies continue efforts to disrupt trafficking routes and production sites.