Colombian authorities have apprehended an alleged leader of the Italian ‘Ndrangheta mafia in Latin America, identified as Giuseppe Palermo, also known as “Peppe”.
Palermo, an Italian national, was wanted under an Interpol red notice, which called for his arrest in 196 countries. The arrest was made possible through a coordinated operation between Colombian, Italian, and British authorities, as well as Europol, the European Union’s law enforcement agency.
According to Carlos Fernando Triana, head of the Colombian police, Palermo is believed to be part of “one of the most tightly knit cells” of the ‘Ndrangheta mafia. The ‘Ndrangheta, one of Italy’s most powerful and secretive criminal organizations, has extended its influence abroad and is widely accused of importing cocaine into Europe. Triana stated that Palermo “not only led the purchase of large shipments of cocaine in Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador, but also controlled the maritime and land routes used to transport the drugs to European markets”.
The ‘Ndrangheta’s influence in Latin America is significant, with the organization playing a major role in the global illicit drug trade. According to the United Nations, illegal cocaine production reached 3,708 tonnes in 2023, an increase of nearly 34% from the previous year, driven mainly by the expansion of coca leaf cultivation in Colombia. The global illicit drug trade, including cocaine, is estimated to be worth more than $500 billion annually.
This arrest highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat organized crime and disrupt the flow of illicit substances into Europe. The operation demonstrates the importance of international cooperation in tackling transnational crime syndicates like the ‘Ndrangheta mafia.