cocaine traffickers

A patrol captain in Spain ordered his unit to withdraw during a confrontation with drug-smuggling speedboats, reportedly saying "They are going to kill us." The episode has drawn attention to what is described as Europe's losing battle against traffickers who use fast boats to deliver cocaine by the ton, outpacing authorities unable to intercept them.

The Economist reports that Jos Leijdekkers, one of Europe's most wanted drug traffickers, turned Sierra Leone into a base for his cocaine empire. According to the investigation, the Dutchman arrived in the country posing as a Turkish investor, building connections with government and security officials. The revelations are drawing attention to drug networks' growing foothold in West Africa and local authorities' alleged complicity.