How European Cocaine Cartels Took Over The Global Drug Trade

How European Cocaine Cartels Took Over The Global Drug Trade

From The Connect- with Johnny Mitchell by Johnny Mitchell

June 3, 2026 · 1h 57m · Season 1 · Episode 225

About this episode

Jonathan Alpeyrie discusses the rise of European cocaine cartels and their impact on the global drug trade.

Jonathan Alpeyrie is a war photographer and journalist who has spent time documenting the darkest corners of the global drug trade — from cartel territory in Mexico and the favelas of Brazil to the streets of Kensington, Skid Row, Baltimore, and the mega-prisons of El Salvador. Jonathan breaks down what he’s seen firsthand while embedding with drug gangs, addicts, undercover police units, and special forces around the world. He explains how European drug gangs are becoming more powerful, why France, Belgium, and Holland are turning into major narco hubs, and how Mexican cartels are exporting their violence and tactics into Europe. Jonathan also discusses the rise of fentanyl in America, the origins of the synthetic opioid pipeline, the brutal reality of addiction on the streets, and what he witnessed inside El Salvador’s crackdown on MS-13. From undercover drug buys in Europe to firefights in Rio’s favelas, this is a raw look at the worldwide drug crisis from someone who has seen it up close. Go Support Jonathan! Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Drug-Wars/Jonathan-Alpeyrie/9780972115247 Website: https://jonathanalpeyrie.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/jonalpeyrie/…

People in this episode

Host: Johnny Mitchell

Guest: Jonathan Alpeyrie

Topics covered

  • European drug gangs
  • global drug trade
  • fentanyl crisis
  • drug cartels
  • addiction
  • war photography
  • undercover operations

Keywords

  • cocaine cartels
  • drug trade
  • fentanyl
  • addiction
  • war photographer
  • undercover police
  • MS-13
  • European narco hubs

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: MS-13

Places: Mexico, Brazil, Kensington, Skid Row, Baltimore, El Salvador, France, Belgium, Holland

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