Evolving Cocaine Smuggling Threats to Europe

Jul 14, 2026

This article first appeared in Border Security Report (page 44). 

Michael Brown, global director of counter-narcotics technology at Rigaku Analytical Devices, was recently published in the May/June 2026 issue of Border Security Report. His article, “Cartels expected to increase cocaine smuggling to Europe as American counter-narcotic actions increase the ante,” explores how shifting enforcement pressure in the Americas may drive cartels to expand cocaine smuggling activity through European ports.

Michael discusses the growing use of sophisticated concealment tactics, including cocaine-infused manufactured goods, and highlights the need for greater intelligence sharing, coordinated port security, and advanced detection technologies to help authorities identify suspect shipments before narcotics reach the market.

Read the full article in Border Security Report, beginning on page 44.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.

 

 

Michael W. Brown is the global director of counter-narcotics technology at Rigaku Analytical Devices. He has a distinguished career spanning more than 32 years as a Special Agent for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). He served as the country attaché in India and Myanmar; During his tour in Myanmar, he provided foreign advisory support for counter narcotic enforcement that, to date, has resulted in the interdiction of over US$250 million in precursor chemicals and implementing the regions first use of Raman spectroscopy to degrade the supply chain for narcotics production. He was also part of a special specialized counter narcotics unit operating in the jungles of South America tasked with locating and destroying drug labs and narcotic supply chains. Most recently he was the DEA Headquarters staff coordinator for the Office of Foreign Operations for the Middle East-Europe-Afghanistan-India. Michael is a graduate of the United States Ranger Training Battalion and has a master’s degree in interdisciplinary technology and management from the University of Eastern Michigan.

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