The Story
Cocaine Inc. (Pt 4) - The Pineapple Trader
Dec 29, 2024
Wouter Laumans, a top Dutch crime reporter, shares crucial insights into the cocaine trade and Roger P's rise to infamy. He unveils the dark logistics flowing through Rotterdam's ports, where cocaine is ingeniously hidden among legitimate goods. Laumans discusses the chilling realities of corruption that plagues law enforcement, making it difficult to combat the drug trade. Listeners are taken through the harrowing discoveries of torture chambers linked to smuggling operations, juxtaposing Belgium's tranquility with its violent narcotics past.
34:44
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Quick takeaways
- Roger P's transition from pineapple trader to a key cocaine smuggler highlights the dangerous intersections of legitimate business and crime.
- The port of Rotterdam’s minimal inspection rates expose significant vulnerabilities, allowing traffickers to exploit logistics for cocaine distribution across Europe.
Deep dives
The Rise of Roger P, the Pineapple Trader
Roger P, known as Pete Costa, emerged as a significant figure in the cocaine smuggling trade in Europe by first appearing as an ordinary individual. After serving jail time for armed robbery and assault, he reinvented himself while living in Costa Rica, initially engaging in pineapple trade. However, he quickly transitioned to smuggling large quantities of cocaine to the port of Rotterdam, which became a central hub for cocaine distribution in Europe. His operation grew to encompass planned kidnappings, murder, and torture, showcasing the dark and violent turn of his career.
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