The murky underbelly of Tenerife is getting out of control, experts warn, with Italian mafia clans arriving desperate for a cut of the drugs cash – kicking off dangerous turf wars
Holiday hotspot Tenerife is so riddled with drugs that revellers are reportedly being tempted into bars on the promise of a free line of cocaine if they buy a drink.
But the murky world of supply is turning the popular party island in the wild west, with the destination now dubbed the ‘new Costa del Crime’ with some of Europe’s most dangerous gangs racing to the Spain’s Canary Islands so they don’t miss out.
It has been described as a turf war between Italian Ndrangheta, the Manchester narcos with even the Hells Angels involved as Tenerife’s dark side becomes more and more apparent. In a chilling development, the Italian mafia are said to be becoming more and more involved.It comes after police shame British drugs mules by making them pose for photos with suitcases.
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Experts are warning that the beautiful island popular with British families has become a gateway for organised crime groups. It is clear Tenerife is starting to be flooded with Class A drugs, making it more and more dangerous with increasingly volatile turf wars.
Mafia expert Antonio Nicaso told the Sun that crime is now getting out of control on the island: He said: “Several organised crime groups operate in Tenerife. Amongst the most prominent are Italian mafia clans, especially from Camorra, Ndrangheta and the Casamonica Family.
“These groups originate from regions such as Campania, Calabria, and Rome and they are involved in large-scale money laundering, cyber fraud, and cocaine and hashish trafficking, often using Tenerife as a hub.
“British gangs, mainly from cities like Liverpool and Manchester, control much of the street-level distribution of drugs in tourist areas and have reportedly clashed with Italian groups over territory, which has led to turf wars and occasional violence.”
While Tenerife has been long been seen by Brits as just one more Spanish holiday destination, its more sinister side has come into focus as investigators probe the death of Jay Slater. Before the discovery of his body, police on the island were said exploring all possibilities – including conspiracies he has been kidnapped.
Gang experts have said in the past Italian organised crime groups are increasingly working with local criminals to bring cocaine into Europe from Latin America – often using the Canary Islands as a staging post of illegal shipments. A Europol statement said these ‘Ndrangheta gangsters would routinely use “violence and torture” to intimidate their rivals.
“The presence of Italian Mafia groups across Spain is multidimensional,” writes organised crime expert Professor Anna Sergi. “The lifestyle, similar climate, and language are considered some of the reasons why Italian Mafia members …have often chosen Spain as new country of activity and residence.”
Spain’s Balearic Islands are well known for drug trafficking – a senior member of the De Micco clan was recently caught running drugs into Ibiza.
But anywhere that tourists gather is a prime target for drug dealers: a member of the clan Mazzarella was arrested last year on drugs offences in Gran Canaria.
Eight Mafia gangsters, as well as a Colombian cartel boss, were arrested in a major operation on Tenerife in December 2023. An armed police raid on a Tenerife villa uncovered some 950 kilos of uncut cocaine, as well as a stash of weapons and thousands in cash.