The Los Angeles Times has an article on the ‘Ndrangheta, an Italian crime syndicate that largely controls the booming cocaine trade in Europe.

Europe is fast overtaking the U.S. as the leading destination for the world’s cocaine, and a single Italian mafia is largely responsible.

The ‘Ndrangheta crime syndicate, a ruthless and mysterious network of 155 families born in the rough hills here in southern Italy’s Calabria region, now dominates the European drug trade. By establishing direct ties with Colombian producers and building a multibillion-dollar empire that spans five continents, the syndicate has metamorphosed into one of the craftiest criminal gangs in the world, authorities say.

” ‘Ndrangheta is king,” said Sabas Pretelt de la Vega, a former Colombian interior minister who is his country’s ambassador to Rome.

‘Ndrangheta is believed to make over $50 billion a year from the trafficking of drugs and other illicit market activities.

Worldwide, the cocaine market is listed at $70.45 billion.