Why Are Some European Drug Gangs Burying Cocaine Instead of Selling It?

European Drug Gangs' Unconventional Strategy

Some European drug gangs have resorted to burying cocaine instead of selling it due to plummeting wholesale prices across the continent.

In December, authorities in southwest Spain discovered two shipping containers buried underground, containing seven metric tons of cocaine with an estimated street value of 420 million euros.

The cocaine bricks were marked with unusual symbols, including a devil emoji playing the guitar.

This unconventional strategy is a result of drug smugglers attempting to manipulate the market amidst low wholesale prices.

Author's summary: European drug gangs bury cocaine due to low prices.

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Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project — 2025-11-05

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