Lyes Tagziria
@lyestagziria.bsky.social
Senior Analyst at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC). Researcher of illicit economies and instability in West Africa & the Sahel. Lover of data, graphs and excels.
Pinned
Lyes Tagziria
@lyestagziria.bsky.social
· Nov 18
💊 One of my favourite threads from Twitter was one in which I shared ingenious, not-so-genius and bizarre methods that have been used to try to traffic illicit drugs.
So I thought it would be a nice way to start life off on bluesky!
1️⃣ 450 kg of MDMA concealed in an excavator
🇦🇺 ➡️ 🇬🇧
t.co/OWXIdFwEwZ
So I thought it would be a nice way to start life off on bluesky!
1️⃣ 450 kg of MDMA concealed in an excavator
🇦🇺 ➡️ 🇬🇧
t.co/OWXIdFwEwZ
"The first organised criminal convicted of selling pink cocaine in the UK was also jailed last December. His main market was Essex, a consumer culture that seems almost ready-made for pink cocaine."
Great article by @maxdaly.bsky.social on the not-so-cocainey
cocaine increasingly common in the UK.
Great article by @maxdaly.bsky.social on the not-so-cocainey
cocaine increasingly common in the UK.
Why are kids snorting pink cocaine?
unherd.com
October 7, 2025 at 11:18 AM
"The first organised criminal convicted of selling pink cocaine in the UK was also jailed last December. His main market was Essex, a consumer culture that seems almost ready-made for pink cocaine."
Great article by @maxdaly.bsky.social on the not-so-cocainey
cocaine increasingly common in the UK.
Great article by @maxdaly.bsky.social on the not-so-cocainey
cocaine increasingly common in the UK.
🇵🇸🇮🇱 UN commission has now concluded that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza...
...joining an already long list including the UN Special Rapporteur, the International Association of Genocide Scholars, Amnesty, MSF and Israeli civil society orgs.
Will Western governments finally now admit it too?
...joining an already long list including the UN Special Rapporteur, the International Association of Genocide Scholars, Amnesty, MSF and Israeli civil society orgs.
Will Western governments finally now admit it too?
Israel has committed genocide in the Gaza Strip, UN Commission finds
GENEVA – Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, a...
www.ohchr.org
September 17, 2025 at 3:03 PM
🇵🇸🇮🇱 UN commission has now concluded that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza...
...joining an already long list including the UN Special Rapporteur, the International Association of Genocide Scholars, Amnesty, MSF and Israeli civil society orgs.
Will Western governments finally now admit it too?
...joining an already long list including the UN Special Rapporteur, the International Association of Genocide Scholars, Amnesty, MSF and Israeli civil society orgs.
Will Western governments finally now admit it too?
🇵🇸🇮🇱 "The world's leading association of genocide scholars has declared that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
A resolution passed by the International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) states that Israel's conduct meets the legal definition as laid out in the UN convention on genocide."
A resolution passed by the International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) states that Israel's conduct meets the legal definition as laid out in the UN convention on genocide."
Israel committing genocide in Gaza, world's leading experts say
The world's leading association of genocide scholars cited several actions by Israel, including attacks on the healthcare sector and the killing of children.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 2, 2025 at 7:53 AM
🇵🇸🇮🇱 "The world's leading association of genocide scholars has declared that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
A resolution passed by the International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) states that Israel's conduct meets the legal definition as laid out in the UN convention on genocide."
A resolution passed by the International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) states that Israel's conduct meets the legal definition as laid out in the UN convention on genocide."
🇧🇯 Over the years, JNIM have been extending their influence & operations further and further south. And last week they attacked in Borgou department - the furthest south they have ever attacked.
See the thread below for details on JNIM operations in the Beninese border area with Nigeria ⬇️
See the thread below for details on JNIM operations in the Beninese border area with Nigeria ⬇️
NEW | Al Qaeda's Sahelian affiliate—JNIM—has likely operationalized rear support zones in northwestern Nigeria.
It has likely used these havens to open a second front in Benin and could use them to support attacks in Nigeria. 🧵
www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/uae...
It has likely used these havens to open a second front in Benin and could use them to support attacks in Nigeria. 🧵
www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/uae...
June 20, 2025 at 4:33 PM
🇧🇯 Over the years, JNIM have been extending their influence & operations further and further south. And last week they attacked in Borgou department - the furthest south they have ever attacked.
See the thread below for details on JNIM operations in the Beninese border area with Nigeria ⬇️
See the thread below for details on JNIM operations in the Beninese border area with Nigeria ⬇️
Very sad news.
"A one-man army, with a mission to save lives".
"A one-man army, with a mission to save lives".
Peter Krykant: 'Beautiful, kind and courageous' drug policy campaigner found dead
Peter Krykant became a public figure in 2020 after setting up an unofficial safer drug consumption facility in a minivan.
news.sky.com
June 12, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Very sad news.
"A one-man army, with a mission to save lives".
"A one-man army, with a mission to save lives".
🇮🇱🇵🇸 “Lawyers I have spoken to believe that there is evidence that Israel followed war crimes, committed by Hamas when it attacked Israel, with very many of its own, including the crime of genocide.”
Israel is accused of the gravest war crimes in Gaza
Distinguished lawyers, senior humanitarians and diplomats tell Jeremy Bowen why they are increasingly concerned about the catastrophe inside Gaza.
www.bbc.co.uk
June 8, 2025 at 2:51 PM
🇮🇱🇵🇸 “Lawyers I have spoken to believe that there is evidence that Israel followed war crimes, committed by Hamas when it attacked Israel, with very many of its own, including the crime of genocide.”
☀️ Sun
🏖️ Beach
🍺 Greek beer
📖 Light reading on fascism courtesy of @iandunt.bsky.social & @dorianlynskey.bsky.social
Can think of worse ways to spend your honeymoon!
🏖️ Beach
🍺 Greek beer
📖 Light reading on fascism courtesy of @iandunt.bsky.social & @dorianlynskey.bsky.social
Can think of worse ways to spend your honeymoon!
June 4, 2025 at 10:18 AM
☀️ Sun
🏖️ Beach
🍺 Greek beer
📖 Light reading on fascism courtesy of @iandunt.bsky.social & @dorianlynskey.bsky.social
Can think of worse ways to spend your honeymoon!
🏖️ Beach
🍺 Greek beer
📖 Light reading on fascism courtesy of @iandunt.bsky.social & @dorianlynskey.bsky.social
Can think of worse ways to spend your honeymoon!
📶 Very cool article in the GI-TOC West Africa Observatory's latest Risk Bulletin on the illicit trade in Starlink devices and their use by violent extremists and other armed groups in the Sahel
The shadow constellation: how Starlink devices are shaping conflict and crime in the Sahel.
Starlink satellite internet technology is a growing influence in conflict dynamics in the Sahel. Violent extremist groups, including Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Jama’at Nasr al-Isla...
riskbulletins.globalinitiative.net
May 13, 2025 at 2:53 PM
📶 Very cool article in the GI-TOC West Africa Observatory's latest Risk Bulletin on the illicit trade in Starlink devices and their use by violent extremists and other armed groups in the Sahel
Setting aside the argument that political parties should act according to some principles rather than just vote-chasing, point number 2 is key: moving right on immigration to win back votes from the far right *does not work*.
Given the local election results in the UK, a short #thread - based on much of our own research - on the vicious cycle of radical right support that we have seen in many countries.
1) When radical right parties (such as Reform) are electorally successful established parties move right on immigration
1) When radical right parties (such as Reform) are electorally successful established parties move right on immigration
May 3, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Setting aside the argument that political parties should act according to some principles rather than just vote-chasing, point number 2 is key: moving right on immigration to win back votes from the far right *does not work*.
Reposted by Lyes Tagziria
📈 One of the key findings from the GI-TOC's most recent European Drug Trends Monitor was that ketamine is becoming increasingly popular in Europe.
Cheaper than cocaine and with higher purity levels, ketamine is widely available in cities across the continent.
globalinitiative.net/analysis/eur...
Cheaper than cocaine and with higher purity levels, ketamine is widely available in cities across the continent.
globalinitiative.net/analysis/eur...
European Drug Trends Monitor
European drug markets are undergoing considerable changes, triggered by the confluence of several major trends in supply and demand. These include an oversupply of cocaine, a growing crack epidemic, s...
globalinitiative.net
March 18, 2025 at 6:06 PM
📈 One of the key findings from the GI-TOC's most recent European Drug Trends Monitor was that ketamine is becoming increasingly popular in Europe.
Cheaper than cocaine and with higher purity levels, ketamine is widely available in cities across the continent.
globalinitiative.net/analysis/eur...
Cheaper than cocaine and with higher purity levels, ketamine is widely available in cities across the continent.
globalinitiative.net/analysis/eur...
🇪🇺 "Malgré une répression renforcée dans les grands ports européens, la cocaïne continue d’inonder le marché. Les trafiquants s’adaptent : au lieu d’abandonner, ils déplacent leurs routes [...]. Résultat : moins de saisies, mais une disponibilité toujours aussi élevée."
GI-TOC / Daniel Brombacher
GI-TOC / Daniel Brombacher
Drogues en Europe : la répression pousse le trafic à s’adapter
Malgré une répression renforcée dans les grands ports européens, la cocaïne continue d’inonder le marché. Les trafiquants s’adaptent : au lieu d’abandonner, ils déplacent leurs routes vers des ports s...
www.corruptoscope.fr
March 13, 2025 at 9:35 AM
🇪🇺 "Malgré une répression renforcée dans les grands ports européens, la cocaïne continue d’inonder le marché. Les trafiquants s’adaptent : au lieu d’abandonner, ils déplacent leurs routes [...]. Résultat : moins de saisies, mais une disponibilité toujours aussi élevée."
GI-TOC / Daniel Brombacher
GI-TOC / Daniel Brombacher
📈 If a full-blown trade war broke out, gold would be the best performing asset. This means that more people will try to get hold of it, says Marc Ummel, head of unit raw materials at Swissaid, “with more illegal mining and increased conflict linked to gold”.
www.tortoisemedia.com/2025/03/04/t...
www.tortoisemedia.com/2025/03/04/t...
Trump’s tariffs are driving up the price of gold
Investors’ search for a safe haven means illegal mining is more lucrative than ever
www.tortoisemedia.com
March 5, 2025 at 12:03 PM
📈 If a full-blown trade war broke out, gold would be the best performing asset. This means that more people will try to get hold of it, says Marc Ummel, head of unit raw materials at Swissaid, “with more illegal mining and increased conflict linked to gold”.
www.tortoisemedia.com/2025/03/04/t...
www.tortoisemedia.com/2025/03/04/t...
🗣️ 'Arms are a force accelerator for all illicit markets - fundamentally, the ability to use violence is one of the primary means by which criminal groups exert control.'
🔫 GI-TOC's Deputy Director Tuesday Reitano explains why we have been focusing on European criminal markets, in particular arms.
🔫 GI-TOC's Deputy Director Tuesday Reitano explains why we have been focusing on European criminal markets, in particular arms.
The Illicit Arms Market in Europe | Tuesday Reitano
YouTube video by Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime
www.youtube.com
March 3, 2025 at 9:49 AM
🗣️ 'Arms are a force accelerator for all illicit markets - fundamentally, the ability to use violence is one of the primary means by which criminal groups exert control.'
🔫 GI-TOC's Deputy Director Tuesday Reitano explains why we have been focusing on European criminal markets, in particular arms.
🔫 GI-TOC's Deputy Director Tuesday Reitano explains why we have been focusing on European criminal markets, in particular arms.
🇮🇹 What does the recent police operation against the Cosa Nostra tell us about the current state of the Sicilian mafia?
'Many experts have argued that [its] heyday is over. However, [new information suggests] the Sicilian mafia appears to be more resilient than ever and may well be set to flourish.'
'Many experts have argued that [its] heyday is over. However, [new information suggests] the Sicilian mafia appears to be more resilient than ever and may well be set to flourish.'
Palermo strikes back
On 11 February 2025, Italian police carried out a major operation in Palermo, Sicily, targeting key mafia districts. With 1 200 officers deployed in the city and surrounding areas, and aerial surveill...
globalinitiative.net
February 28, 2025 at 4:45 PM
🇮🇹 What does the recent police operation against the Cosa Nostra tell us about the current state of the Sicilian mafia?
'Many experts have argued that [its] heyday is over. However, [new information suggests] the Sicilian mafia appears to be more resilient than ever and may well be set to flourish.'
'Many experts have argued that [its] heyday is over. However, [new information suggests] the Sicilian mafia appears to be more resilient than ever and may well be set to flourish.'
🌎 ‘The Trump administration’s blanket suspension of foreign aid & apparent disdain for environmental policies indicates a disregard for the socioeconomic factors driving OCG expansion & irregular migration in LatAm, which is likely to ensure their continuity & proliferation.‘
- @rusi.bsky.social
- @rusi.bsky.social
How Trump’s Environment and Aid Policies Undermine His Latin America Agenda
While Latin America has featured prominently in the new US administration’s foreign policy, the suspension of vital aid and censoring of official discussion on climate change are directly at odds with...
rusi.org
February 28, 2025 at 9:10 AM
🌎 ‘The Trump administration’s blanket suspension of foreign aid & apparent disdain for environmental policies indicates a disregard for the socioeconomic factors driving OCG expansion & irregular migration in LatAm, which is likely to ensure their continuity & proliferation.‘
- @rusi.bsky.social
- @rusi.bsky.social
New GITOC report ⬇️
'Policing of mature drug markets has little overall effect on the supply of drugs within those markets. Additional enforcement, while important for other reasons, such as removing corrosive criminal actors, appears to have no clear impact on overall drug availability.'
'Policing of mature drug markets has little overall effect on the supply of drugs within those markets. Additional enforcement, while important for other reasons, such as removing corrosive criminal actors, appears to have no clear impact on overall drug availability.'
Evaluating Cocaine Market Interventions: How External Shocks and Disruption of Criminal Networks Impact the Cocaine Trade and Social Outcomes
This report looks to evaluate the effects of drug market enforcement, and broader external disruptions, through case studies (Sky ECC in the Netherlands, criminal gangs in Ireland, criminal gangs in Ca...
globalinitiative.net
February 27, 2025 at 10:22 AM
New GITOC report ⬇️
'Policing of mature drug markets has little overall effect on the supply of drugs within those markets. Additional enforcement, while important for other reasons, such as removing corrosive criminal actors, appears to have no clear impact on overall drug availability.'
'Policing of mature drug markets has little overall effect on the supply of drugs within those markets. Additional enforcement, while important for other reasons, such as removing corrosive criminal actors, appears to have no clear impact on overall drug availability.'
🆕 Really important new GI-TOC/Clingendael report on Kush has just been published!
A deadly drug containing either synthetic cannabinoids or the extremely potent nitazenes, Kush's epicentre is Sierra Leone -where likely thousands have died - but it has also spread to neighbouring countries.
A deadly drug containing either synthetic cannabinoids or the extremely potent nitazenes, Kush's epicentre is Sierra Leone -where likely thousands have died - but it has also spread to neighbouring countries.
Kush in Sierra Leone
Since 2022, a synthetic drug known as ‘kush’, has killed likely thousands of people in West Africa. Kush emerged in Sierra Leone, but quickly spread across countries in the subregion, including Liberi...
globalinitiative.net
February 25, 2025 at 11:06 AM
🆕 Really important new GI-TOC/Clingendael report on Kush has just been published!
A deadly drug containing either synthetic cannabinoids or the extremely potent nitazenes, Kush's epicentre is Sierra Leone -where likely thousands have died - but it has also spread to neighbouring countries.
A deadly drug containing either synthetic cannabinoids or the extremely potent nitazenes, Kush's epicentre is Sierra Leone -where likely thousands have died - but it has also spread to neighbouring countries.
Reposted by Lyes Tagziria
Though far from perfect, we could learn a thing or two from Spain.
"Migration was not only a question of humanity but... where birthrate ranked among the lowest in the EU, it was the only realistic means of growing the economy and sustaining the welfare state."
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/f...
"Migration was not only a question of humanity but... where birthrate ranked among the lowest in the EU, it was the only realistic means of growing the economy and sustaining the welfare state."
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/f...
How Spain’s radically different approach to migration helped its economy soar
As immigration has increased, GDP has surged and unemployment has fallen to lowest level since 2008
www.theguardian.com
February 18, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Though far from perfect, we could learn a thing or two from Spain.
"Migration was not only a question of humanity but... where birthrate ranked among the lowest in the EU, it was the only realistic means of growing the economy and sustaining the welfare state."
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/f...
"Migration was not only a question of humanity but... where birthrate ranked among the lowest in the EU, it was the only realistic means of growing the economy and sustaining the welfare state."
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/f...
🇳🇬 HumAngle consistently producing quality journalism on the terror reigning in northern Nigeria at the hands of bandits and, in the story below, violent extremist group ISWAP.
“Over the years, ISWAP had shifted from mindless destruction to calculated economic exploitation. Kaka knew this well.”
“Over the years, ISWAP had shifted from mindless destruction to calculated economic exploitation. Kaka knew this well.”
ISWAP’s ‘Tax’ System is Bleeding Farmers Dry in Northeastern Nigeria
Farmers must pay ISWAP fees for planting and harvesting, with receipts as proof of payment kept under ISWAP's control.
humanglemedia.com
February 17, 2025 at 3:48 PM
🇳🇬 HumAngle consistently producing quality journalism on the terror reigning in northern Nigeria at the hands of bandits and, in the story below, violent extremist group ISWAP.
“Over the years, ISWAP had shifted from mindless destruction to calculated economic exploitation. Kaka knew this well.”
“Over the years, ISWAP had shifted from mindless destruction to calculated economic exploitation. Kaka knew this well.”
Reposted by Lyes Tagziria
My new piece for Global Initiative on the emergent fentanyl geopolitics between Canada and the US is out today.
Our latest analytical insight, co-authored by @jeligh.bsky.social, on the dispute between traditionally good neighbours, how much #fentanyl entering the #US comes from #Canada and how this presents an opportunity for more effective action on organized crime. ⬇️
globalinitiative.net/analysis/neg...
globalinitiative.net/analysis/neg...
How fentanyl has poisoned relations between the US and Canada
Canada is not a ‘big player’ in the fentanyl trade: well under 1% of the fentanyl entering the US comes from Canada. In fact, fentanyl from Canada is not even mentioned as a drug trafficking threat to...
globalinitiative.net
February 7, 2025 at 1:46 PM
My new piece for Global Initiative on the emergent fentanyl geopolitics between Canada and the US is out today.
If human rights abuses become a recurring issue within the joint force, it could erode public trust. Jihadist groups present themselves as protectors against state forces & pro-government militias. This has only consolidated their influence over the civilian population in areas under their control.
Why Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger’s new plan to tackle extremist violence is likely to fail
The junta-led countries of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have announced a new joint military force to combat jihadist groups in the region.
theconversation.com
February 6, 2025 at 3:04 PM
If human rights abuses become a recurring issue within the joint force, it could erode public trust. Jihadist groups present themselves as protectors against state forces & pro-government militias. This has only consolidated their influence over the civilian population in areas under their control.
🇬🇧 A ‘380% increase in AI generated child sexual abuse material in the last year’.
The UK is to become the first country to introduce laws tackling the use of AI to create child sexual abuse material [making it] illegal to possess, create or distribute AI tools that generate CSAM.
The UK is to become the first country to introduce laws tackling the use of AI to create child sexual abuse material [making it] illegal to possess, create or distribute AI tools that generate CSAM.
February 3, 2025 at 6:14 PM
🇬🇧 A ‘380% increase in AI generated child sexual abuse material in the last year’.
The UK is to become the first country to introduce laws tackling the use of AI to create child sexual abuse material [making it] illegal to possess, create or distribute AI tools that generate CSAM.
The UK is to become the first country to introduce laws tackling the use of AI to create child sexual abuse material [making it] illegal to possess, create or distribute AI tools that generate CSAM.
Reposted by Lyes Tagziria
NEW: Roman Abramovich has one of the longest yachts in the world, complete with 24 guest cabins, swimming pools, helipads, and a disco hall
Turns out, the former Chelsea FC owner managed to evade millions in tax due in connection with the use of his yachts 👇
Turns out, the former Chelsea FC owner managed to evade millions in tax due in connection with the use of his yachts 👇
Roman Abramovich evaded millions in VAT with fake yacht hire scheme
Billionaire’s agents designed elaborate scheme to fool authorities – then wrote it all out in emails
www.thebureauinvestigates.com
January 28, 2025 at 6:57 AM
NEW: Roman Abramovich has one of the longest yachts in the world, complete with 24 guest cabins, swimming pools, helipads, and a disco hall
Turns out, the former Chelsea FC owner managed to evade millions in tax due in connection with the use of his yachts 👇
Turns out, the former Chelsea FC owner managed to evade millions in tax due in connection with the use of his yachts 👇
🇬🇧 The fragmentation of the migrant smuggling industry speaks to the flexibility and rapid shifts in the illicit market, underpinned by the pursuit of profit. And criminal profit is coming at ever greater cost to migrant safety.
Details from the GI-TOC on the evolution of people smuggling networks ⬇️
Details from the GI-TOC on the evolution of people smuggling networks ⬇️
How to make and lose a fortune smuggling migrants on the French coast
Tackling migrant smuggling has been one of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s priorities since taking office in July 2024. The prime minister has repeatedly vowed to ‘smash the gangs’ who are using smal...
globalinitiative.net
January 27, 2025 at 2:44 PM
🇬🇧 The fragmentation of the migrant smuggling industry speaks to the flexibility and rapid shifts in the illicit market, underpinned by the pursuit of profit. And criminal profit is coming at ever greater cost to migrant safety.
Details from the GI-TOC on the evolution of people smuggling networks ⬇️
Details from the GI-TOC on the evolution of people smuggling networks ⬇️