Dutch crime reporter discovers an international assassination plot connected to a small-town murder case. Topics include an organized crime summit, risks of unverified data in AI, unsolved murder, shocking revelations, a targeted assassination plot, and the dark side of organized crime.
The Dubai Super Cartel operates like multinational companies, with complicated supply chains and investment portfolios, controlling a third of Europe's cocaine market.
The murder of Ali Matamid, allegedly orchestrated by a notorious criminal connected to the Dubai Super Cartel, raises questions about state-sponsored assassinations and the blurred lines between criminal networks and governments.
Deep dives
The Dubai Super Cartel: A Cocaine Empire
In a shadowy criminal network known as the Dubai Super Cartel, a multi-billion dollar cocaine empire spanning the globe is controlled by a group of criminals who met at a wedding in Dubai. This sophisticated criminal organization operates like multinational companies, with complicated supply chains and investment portfolios. By 2017, the Dubai Super Cartel is believed to control a third of Europe's cocaine market, making billions of dollars each year. The story delves into the blurred lines between crime and business, the challenges in reporting on international crime groups, and the vast amounts of invisible money generated by organized crime.
Ali Matamid: A Secret Past
The murder of Ali Matamid, an electrician in a small Dutch town, unravels a secret life. Matamid was living under an assumed identity, hiding from the Iranian regime for a terrorist attack he carried out in his home country. His past is exposed when a journalist uncovers the truth, leading to questions about his murder and potential state-sponsored assassination. The story explores the loneliness and isolation of living with such a secret, as well as the careful measures taken to avoid detection. The connections between Matamid's past and the Dubai Super Cartel begin to emerge.
The Murder Broker and State-Sponsored Assassinations
A notorious criminal named Knoffel is revealed to be a murder broker, capable of arranging assassinations for anyone, anywhere. He is connected to the super cartel, and his involvement raises questions about his links to the Iranian regime. The murder of Ali Matamid, allegedly orchestrated by Knoffel, is seen as a potential state-sponsored assassination. This revelation highlights the changing landscape of international organized crime, blurring the lines between criminal networks and governments. It raises questions about who wields power and controls the flow of money in the world.
When a Dutch crime reporter makes an unbelievable discovery, a small-town murder case begins to look like an international assassination plot. Enjoy this episode from Hot Money: The New Narcos, a podcast from Pushkin Industries and the Financial Times.