EUROPEAN NARCOS

Between 2019 and 2024, the largest criminal trial in Dutch history unfolded inside a heavily fortified courtroom in the suburbs of Amsterdam: the Marengo Trial. It exposed the inner workings of an ultra-violent, hyper-connected criminal organization, born from an alliance between street criminals, businessmen, cartel bosses and mafia figures. This unprecedented case laid bare a phenomenon rooted in the Netherlands that is now spreading across Europe.

Why has this new form of criminal power taken root in the Netherlands—a country known for tolerance and stability? By tracing the deep history of drug trafficking in Europe, this film exposes the colonial roots of the trade, the contradictions of Dutch drug policy, and the impact of globalization on a booming illicit market. It also questions the myths surrounding this “new mafia” and the limits of democratic states faced with such underground empires.

Structured as an in-depth investigation, the film draws on rare archives and interviews with journalists, criminologists and customs officers. It offers a gripping dive into the criminal economy, at the crossroads of colonial legacy, unbridled capitalism and the erosion of the rule of law. From the first anti-narcotics unit in Rotterdam in the 1920s to today’s high-tech task forces decrypting traffickers’ secret messages, it sheds light on a relentless fight waged by law enforcement. Because this is no longer just a matter of security – it’s a societal crisis.