Cocaine production and trafficking is surging around the world after slowing down considerably during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime said this week that new hubs and growing criminal networks are behind the comeback that started as COVID-19 restrictions were lifted.
“The COVID-19 pandemic had a disruptive effect on drug markets. With international travel severely curtailed, producers struggled to get their product to market,” the report, released Thursday, stated. “Night clubs and bars were shut as officials ramped up their attempts to control the virus, causing demand to slump for drugs like cocaine.”
