WALL STREET KNOWS THAT SO WELL –

July 4, 2022 – Large shipments continue to be detected that are transported using methods that often exploit commercial infrastructure, particularly intermodal container shipments. This has been accompanied by innovation in respect to new trafficking routes, methods for concealment and new production processes. The European Union has also become a significant producer of some drugs, both for domestic consumption and for the global market. This is indicated by the dismantling of over 350 drug production facilities in the European Union in 2020. Globalisation appears to be driving some of these changes, with a particular concern being the greater interaction that now appears to exist between international and European based crime groups. A worrying example of this can be seen in the recent observation that Mexican crime groups have started to become involved with synthetic drug production within the European Union. It might also be the case that criminal organizations have such substantial profit margins that they’re able to “absorb inflationary hits,” Groshkova says. “They’d rather not, but they can”.

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