A major mafia leader operating in South America has been arrested. This was reported by Zamin.uz.
The Colombian police have detained an individual named Giuseppe Palermo from Italy. He organized drug trafficking in Latin America and managed the supply chain to Europe.
Palermo is considered one of the leaders of a criminal group called "Ndrangheta." This group was formed in Italy's Calabria region and is recognized as one of the most dangerous and wealthy mafia organizations in the world.
Palermo, who was wanted internationally by Interpol, was captured in a public place in Bogota. The operation, conducted in collaboration with law enforcement agencies from Colombia, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Europe, was successfully completed.
According to Carlos Fernando Triana, the head of the Colombian police, Palermo played a significant role in the cocaine supply chain from South America to Europe. He managed the sale, storage, and distribution of drugs in Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador.
Additionally, he controlled smuggling to the European market via sea and land routes. According to UN data for 2023, the global volume of illegal cocaine production has reached 3,708 tons, which is a 34 percent increase compared to 2022.
This increase is mainly related to the expansion of coca plantations in Colombia. Experts estimate that the cocaine market has an annual turnover of over 500 billion dollars.
The arrest of Giuseppe Palermo dealt a significant blow to the international drug trafficking chain. His case will now be reviewed in international courts.
There are criminal charges against Palermo in several countries, and this process will be in the spotlight of the global community. This arrest is considered a major achievement for Europe and South America.
