The Rise of Belgium's Cocaine Empire

00:00:00 - 00:10:00In the YouTube video "The Rise of Belgium's Cocaine Empire," the narrator explains how Belgium, once known for its chocolate production and low crime rates, has transformed into the cocaine capital of Europe. South American drug cartels have found new allies in European gangs, making Belgium a favored destination due to its top-notch transportation infrastructure and difficult inspections. The cost of cocaine on European streets ranges from $60 to over $200 or even $500, with cartels acquiring a gram for less than a dollar. The most expensive part is transportation to Europe, where they can maintain high street prices and evade detection. Belgium has seized record-breaking amounts of cocaine in recent years, making it the "king of cocaine" in Europe. The speaker emphasizes the country's strategic location and lax laws that enabled the growth of the drug scene in the 1980s and 1990s. Criminal organizations like the infamous Marc Dutroux have been involved in the cocaine trade. The video concludes with an invitation to explore more underworld stories on their channel and a teaser for the next video.See more00:00:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "The Rise of Belgium's Cocaine Empire," the narrator discusses how Belgium, once known for its chocolate production and low crime rates, has become the cocaine capital of Europe. Previously viewed as unexciting and even dull, Belgium has undergone a dramatic transformation, with dangerous drug traffickers engaging in shootouts and decapitating enemies on the streets. South American drug traffickers have found new allies in ruthless European gangs, making Belgium a favored destination for the cartels. The European market has become incredibly profitable for global drug syndicates, with countries like Belgium experiencing significant cocaine seizures in recent years. Despite lawmakers taking a tough stance on drugs, cocaine has permeated the UK, and Belgium has seized record-breaking amounts of cocaine in recent years, making it the "king of cocaine" in Europe. The raw cocoa leaves purchased from South American farmers are incredibly cheap, allowing traffickers to tolerate some losses and continue the thriving drug trade.00:05:00 In this section of the YouTube video "The Rise of Belgium's Cocaine Empire," the discussion revolves around the high prices of cocaine on European streets and the reasons why cartels prefer Europe over other regions for drug trafficking. The cost of a gram of cocaine on the streets of Europe can range from $60 to over $200 or $500, depending on the purity. Cartels can acquire a gram of pure cocaine for less than a dollar once it's been refined, but the cost increases as it goes through various middlemen and transportation. The most expensive part is the transportation of the drugs to European shores, where they can evade detection and maintain high street prices. Cartels are drawn to Belgium due to its top-notch transportation infrastructure and the difficulty of inspecting every container that enters the country. European authorities estimate they only seize about 10% of the cocaine that enters Europe, leaving significant profits for the cartels. Additionally, South American drug traffickers prefer Europe due to its more reliable transportation and profit opportunities, as well as the emergence of violent gangs that control much of the drug trafficking and selling activities. To combat the issue, it's essential to strengthen the police force, improve border control and inspections, raise awareness within the community, and offer rehabilitation programs.00:10:00 In this section of "The Rise of Belgium's Cocaine Empire" YouTube video, the speaker concludes the discussion on Belgium's role as a significant player in the global cocaine trade. The speaker emphasizes the country's strategic location, allowing easy access to major European markets, and its lax laws that enabled the growth of a thriving drug scene in the 1980s and 1990s. The speaker also touches on the involvement of various criminal organizations, including the infamous Marc Dutroux, in the cocaine trade. The video ends with an invitation to viewers to explore more underworld stories on their channel and a teaser for the next video.