The Caribbean's Secret Coke Underground

Summary by Krater

This video explores the drug trafficking trade in Martinique, focusing on how cocaine smuggling has become a pervasive alternative economy intertwined with the island's colonial history, as seen through the perspectives of local rap artists and researchers.

From the video

Answers: How does cocaine trafficking operate in Martinique and why has it become so prevalent?

• Cocaine smuggling in Martinique
• Transatlantic drug routes
• Slavery legacy and modern economy
• Local rap music culture
• Police corruption and arrests

What it concludes

• Cocaine production is surging, and Martinique has become a key stop on the supply chain to Europe.
• The drug trade has become one of the quickest ways to earn money in an economy still affected by historical colonial structures.
• Authorities intercepted 117 drug mules carrying 1.6 tons of cocaine through Martinique's airport in 2024, but most drugs travel by sea in shipping containers and fishing boats.
• Public sector jobs and overseas pay bonuses help offset living prices that are around 40 percent higher than in mainland France.
• Corruption has touched different strata of administration, including court clerks, maritime employees, police, and customs officials.
• For some young people on the island, the drug trade provides an alternative route to money, influence, and status.