As the trial of Sergio Roberto de Carvalho, dubbed Brazil’s version of “Pablo Escobar,” gets underway in Belgium, the charges against him show how cocaine trafficking has evolved into a global business that is increasingly shadowy and complex. It also highlights Brazil’s growing role in the trade, especially in the cocaine pipeline to Europe, and how low-profile brokers are replacing high-profile ...
The strongest version of this narrative is that Carvalho’s case exemplifies the modernization of drug trafficking: a shift from violent, territorial cartels to agile, corruption-driven networks led by "invisible" brokers. The reporting effectively highlights how systemic weaknesses—corrupt institutions, porous identity systems, and globalized logistics—enable these networks to thrive. It also underscores Brazil’s escalating role in the cocaine pipeline to Europe, a trend with geopolitical implic...