“Europe’s drug mafia (1/2) – How drugs made the Netherlands rich” is an eye-opening investigative documentary produced by Deutsche Welle (DW) that exposes the deep socio-economic realities behind Europe’s modern narcotics trade. Part one of this two-part series shifts the focus away from traditional Latin American supply routes to examine how the Netherlands—renowned for its world-class logistics infrastructure, open trade policies, and financial sector—inadvertently became the primary logistical gateway for illicit drugs into Europe.
The film traces the structural evolution of organised crime in Western Europe, detailing how organized criminal networks (often referred to regionally as the “Mocro Maffia”) leveraged the mega-ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp. Through expert commentary, investigative journalists, and interviews with law enforcement officials, the documentary explores how billions of euros in illicit proceeds flow through legitimate economic channels, impacting real estate, shipping, and local banking systems.