InTorrevieja, public safety concerns linked to cocaine trafficking have been identified, prompting greater judicial and police resources in response to expanding criminal activity. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) World Cocaine Report 2023 highlights a troubling pattern across Southern Europe, noting that violence tied to illegal drug markets has intensified in several regions and that new criminal groups are increasingly involved in cocaine and cannabis trade. This surge is associated with heightened violence, including armed confrontations, assaults, and other crimes connected to competing criminal networks that operate beyond national borders.
The UNODC report emphasizes that in parts of Europe, including Spain, incidents of homicide, kidnapping, and violent crime linked to drug trafficking have risen. While some regions are repeatedly cited, the overall trend points to a broader expansion of organized crime activity within Europe, with particular focus on the Netherlands, Belgium, and other neighboring countries. The Costa del Sol and the Levante coast are mentioned in the context of evolving criminal dynamics across the peninsula and nearby areas (UNODC).
According to the 2023 assessment, the entry of new criminal groups has stabilized as a factor driving more intense competition in drug markets. This competition correlates with increased violence, including firearm-related crimes, and challenges to public safety as rivalries intensify across EU states. Experts note that Balkan-origin gangs have extended their reach, contributing to a rise in homicides and other violent acts within Spain and neighboring regions (UNODC).
The report also identifies significant public safety issues connected to drug trafficking in southern Spain, where law enforcement and judicial authorities have reported the need for enhanced resources to counter organized crime. The Costa del Sol is described as a longstanding hub for various high-level traders who operate across Europe, with estimated networks numbering in the hundreds and the potential for fierce competitive violence that can escalate to murder (UNODC).
UNODC underscores its commitment to reducing violence related to drug markets by urging coordinated international action. Algeciras is cited as a point of shifting trafficking routes toward eastern corridors beyond Gibraltar, illustrating how smuggling networks adapt to enforcement pressures. Though some eastern provinces in Spain face rising threats, the report stresses that authorities remain focused on disrupting criminal groups and bolstering public safety (UNODC).
Within Spain, the report notes that major cocaine entry points include Galicia, Andalusia, and Valencia, followed by the Canary Islands and Catalonia. It portrays a landscape where organized crime groups exploit gaps in border controls and law enforcement capabilities, reinforcing the need for sustained regional cooperation to manage drug flows and protect communities (UNODC).
Across Europe, the Netherlands appears as a critical node for cocaine entry, with violence linked to gang rivalry increasing between 2014 and 2020. This escalation has extended beyond gang members to affect judges, prosecutors, witnesses, and journalists associated with drug trafficking prosecutions, underscoring the broader impact of organized crime on the rule of law (UNODC).
Overall, the World Cocaine Report 2023 serves as a warning about the evolving nature of cocaine markets in Europe and the consequential strain on public safety. It calls for ongoing monitoring, stronger cross-border cooperation, and targeted measures to reduce violence, disrupt trafficking networks, and support affected communities. The UNODC remains dedicated to informing policy decisions and guiding international efforts to curb the harms associated with illegal drug trade (UNODC).