Drug trafficking, the poison of Europe — Season 1, Episode 1: The Wealth of a Nation
Documentary • 52 min • 1 season, 2 episodes • ★ 7.5/10
Episode synopsis
For centuries, the Netherlands built its prosperity on mastery of the oceans, colonial conquest, and a capitalism based on global trade. But behind the facades of the splendid mansions lining Amsterdam's canals lies a forgotten history: that of a pioneering country in the drug trade. From colonial opium dens to Moroccan hashish and synthetic drugs, this first episode reveals how, over several centuries, Dutch economic history created a gray area between legality and crime. A gray area that would pave the way for criminal organizations capable of a level of violence previously unknown in Europe.
About Drug trafficking, the poison of Europe
The specter of drug trafficking haunts Europe. Struggling with ultra-violent criminal groups that control the vast majority of cocaine trade, European police forces are overwhelmed. The epicenter of all this trafficking: the Netherlands. A nation at the forefront of international trade and drug policy. This two-part film delves into the origins of European drug trafficking through the unique history of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.