How European Cocaine Cartels Took Over 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: simonandschuster.com/books/Drug-Wars/Jonathan-…

Website: jonathanalpeyrie.com

IG: instagram.com/jonalpeyrie

Join The Patreon For Bonus Content!

patreon.com/theconnectshow

00:00 European Drug Gangs & Cartel Tactics

02:00 War Reporter’s Background

03:55 Challenges of Access and Documentary Work

08:00 Undercover Ops with Cops & European Narcos

12:40 Weak Punishments & Overloaded European Prisons

15:50 Belgium, Holland & France: Europe's Crime Hotbeds

21:00 Ethnic Gangs and Emerging Alliances

27:00 Why Europe Is the “Crown Jewel” of the Drug Trade

35:00 Big Busts, Corruption & Mexican Cartel Influence

41:00 Fentanyl and Drug Crisis in the US

49:30 Drug Trends: Fentanyl, Meth, and Ketamine Scenes

54:00 MDMA, Ecstasy, and Party Drug Production

59:50 Inside Brazilian Favelas and Combat Zones

01:03:00 Violence, Danger & Drug Wars in Latin America

01:10:00 War Reporting: Syria, Iraq, and Hostage Experiences

01:20:00 Geopolitics, Proxy Wars & Global Destabilization

01:27:30 America’s Shifting Role & Future of Cartels

01:34:00 Personal Trauma, Resilience & Drug War Morality

01:41:00 Solutions, Nationalism, and The Limits of Idealism

01:45:00 Jonathan’s Mission & Final Thoughts

01:49:00 Book Plug & Closing Remarks

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices