On the Radar: More Indictments, Seizures, and Control Strategies

This week in On the Radar, the US indicts Sinaloa’s governor for criminal ties, Spain seizes a record cocaine shipment, and the US unveils a new drug strategy focusing on narco-terrorism and trafficking.

Transcript

Three key pieces of news from this week regarding drug trafficking:

• The indictment of a governor in Mexico.
• A historic cocaine seizure in Spain.
• And what’s in the latest l National Drug Control Strategy report from the United States?

This is On the Radar. Your weekly roundup of organized crime in Latin America and the Caribbean.

US Indicts Mexican Governor, Rocha Moya

US prosecutors indicted Rubén Rocha Moya, the governor of Sinaloa, along with nine other high-ranking officials.

They are accused of receiving bribes from the Chapitos in exchange for protection and the leaking of information.

Why does this case matter?

Because it’s the first time that a sitting governor faces such charges in the United States.

And it raises a key issue once again:

Although the allegations still need to be proven, the case underscores the extent to which organized crime can intertwine with local politics.

Spain Makes Historic Cocaine Seizure

In Europe, Spanish authorities made what could be the largest cocaine seizure in history: a shipment from Sierra Leone that could total between 30 and 45 tons.

The case confirms the growing role of West Africa in the routes to Europe.

And while the US is blowing up small boats allegedly moving drugs, by far the largest quantities are moved by legal container shipping.

For more on global cocaine trends check out our 2025 Cocaine Seizure Roundup.

The US’ New Drug Control Strategy

The United States also presented its new National Drug Control Strategy. 

It prioritizes tougher measures: designating cartels as terrorist organizations and expanding militarized tactics.

What has changed compared to past administrations?

This tougher approach shifts away from methods like cooperation and intelligence sharing with other countries. 

These may have less immediate results but often have a greater impact undermining organized crime in the long run.

Three different events,

one question:

How is global drug trafficking evolving?

Visit insightcrime.org for more.