Hereward Holland
@hezholland.bsky.social
Editor, Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project
The staff at the Eetcafé Oppe Platz pub in central Echt didn’t know that quiet Tuesday in September 2024 that they had served their last plate of bitterballen, a fried Dutch snack.
But in the pub’s attic, a disaster was quietly unfolding.
@ingridgercama.bsky.social
www.occrp.org/en/feature/b...
But in the pub’s attic, a disaster was quietly unfolding.
@ingridgercama.bsky.social
www.occrp.org/en/feature/b...
Breaking Bad In The Attic: A Dutch City’s Battle Against Secret Amphetamine Labs
The tranquil city of Echt is being poisoned by the Netherlands' booming drug trade. As drug labs leak toxic waste, the city's mayor has teamed up with the police chief to contain the cartel-driven ope...
www.occrp.org
February 3, 2026 at 5:06 PM
The staff at the Eetcafé Oppe Platz pub in central Echt didn’t know that quiet Tuesday in September 2024 that they had served their last plate of bitterballen, a fried Dutch snack.
But in the pub’s attic, a disaster was quietly unfolding.
@ingridgercama.bsky.social
www.occrp.org/en/feature/b...
But in the pub’s attic, a disaster was quietly unfolding.
@ingridgercama.bsky.social
www.occrp.org/en/feature/b...
Loooooong read: Meet the South Pacific Ponzi King With a Bogus Bank — and a Global Fan Club
www.occrp.org/en/feature/m...
www.occrp.org/en/feature/m...
Meet the South Pacific Ponzi King With a Bogus Bank — and a Global Fan Club
Fugitive Ponzi schemer Noah Musingku reigns over an armed “cargo cult” deep in the interior of one of the world’s most isolated islands. OCCRP went to investigate how he had attracted an international...
www.occrp.org
December 5, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Loooooong read: Meet the South Pacific Ponzi King With a Bogus Bank — and a Global Fan Club
www.occrp.org/en/feature/m...
www.occrp.org/en/feature/m...
There's some really clever sleuthing from our reporters and partners in this piece:
Cocaine and Bananas: How Balkan Traffickers Used Fruit Shipments From the Ecuadorian President's Family Firm to Smuggle Drugs
www.occrp.org/en/project/t...
Cocaine and Bananas: How Balkan Traffickers Used Fruit Shipments From the Ecuadorian President's Family Firm to Smuggle Drugs
www.occrp.org/en/project/t...
Cocaine and Bananas: How Balkan Traffickers Used Fruit Shipments From the Ecuadorian President's Family Firm to Smuggle Drugs
www.occrp.org
December 4, 2025 at 8:17 AM
There's some really clever sleuthing from our reporters and partners in this piece:
Cocaine and Bananas: How Balkan Traffickers Used Fruit Shipments From the Ecuadorian President's Family Firm to Smuggle Drugs
www.occrp.org/en/project/t...
Cocaine and Bananas: How Balkan Traffickers Used Fruit Shipments From the Ecuadorian President's Family Firm to Smuggle Drugs
www.occrp.org/en/project/t...
Presenting the first major story in my new role at OCCRP. Huge thanks and congratulations to the many journalists involved.
“You have examples in Spain where the cocaine is buried in the bunkers under the ground,” said Robert Fay from Europol. “Everybody is asking: ‘What the hell has happened?’”
“You have examples in Spain where the cocaine is buried in the bunkers under the ground,” said Robert Fay from Europol. “Everybody is asking: ‘What the hell has happened?’”
NEW : A huge cocaine glut in Europe has caused wholesale prices to collapse to record lows in several countries — so traffickers have started burying shipments while they wait for prices to rebound.
How did we get here? Here’s what the experts say:
www.occrp.org/en/feature/f...
How did we get here? Here’s what the experts say:
www.occrp.org/en/feature/f...
FAQ: Why Are Some European Drug Gangs Burying Cocaine Instead of Selling It?
Wholesale prices are in the gutter across much of Europe, forcing drug smugglers to try and manipulate the market. OCCRP explains what you need to know about the factors affecting Europe's cocaine…
www.occrp.org
November 4, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Presenting the first major story in my new role at OCCRP. Huge thanks and congratulations to the many journalists involved.
“You have examples in Spain where the cocaine is buried in the bunkers under the ground,” said Robert Fay from Europol. “Everybody is asking: ‘What the hell has happened?’”
“You have examples in Spain where the cocaine is buried in the bunkers under the ground,” said Robert Fay from Europol. “Everybody is asking: ‘What the hell has happened?’”
Reposted by Hereward Holland
BREAKING: A Madagascar army colonel, who led a mutiny of soldiers that joined anti-government Gen Z protesters, said that the military had taken charge of the African island nation, after President Andry Rajoelina fled the country reut.rs/3KOGdE0
October 14, 2025 at 1:44 PM
BREAKING: A Madagascar army colonel, who led a mutiny of soldiers that joined anti-government Gen Z protesters, said that the military had taken charge of the African island nation, after President Andry Rajoelina fled the country reut.rs/3KOGdE0
Rwanda sanctions will undermine push for Congo peace talks, proscribed minister says www.reuters.com/world/africa...
Rwanda sanctions will undermine push for Congo peace talks, proscribed minister says
International sanctions against Rwanda will reduce the incentive for Kinshasa to engage in peace talks with M23 rebels who have made lightning advances in eastern Congo this year, a proscribed Rwandan minister has said.
www.reuters.com
February 26, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Rwanda sanctions will undermine push for Congo peace talks, proscribed minister says www.reuters.com/world/africa...
Rwanda’s Kabarebe, sanctioned by US over ties to Congo rebels, is Kagame's 'hatchet man' www.reuters.com/world/africa...
Rwanda’s Kabarebe, sanctioned by US over ties to Congo rebels, is Kagame's 'hatchet man'
When Rwanda's ex-spy chief Patrick Karegeya was murdered in South Africa in 2014, his former brother-in-arms James Kabarebe was blunt: "When you choose to be a dog, you die like a dog."
www.reuters.com
February 24, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Rwanda’s Kabarebe, sanctioned by US over ties to Congo rebels, is Kagame's 'hatchet man' www.reuters.com/world/africa...
UN Security Council to call on Rwanda to pull troops from Congo reut.rs/4bdfY3d
UN Security Council to call on Rwanda to pull troops from Congo
The United Nations Security Council will vote on Friday to call on Rwanda's military to stop supporting the M23 rebel group in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and immediately withdraw all troops from Congolese territory "without preconditions."
reut.rs
February 21, 2025 at 6:41 PM
UN Security Council to call on Rwanda to pull troops from Congo reut.rs/4bdfY3d
Rwanda says DRC criticism of Arsenal, Bayern and PSG deals threatens regional peace reut.rs/3CPBqhY
Rwanda says DRC criticism of Arsenal, Bayern and PSG deals threatens regional peace
Rwanda on Thursday described recent criticism of its Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Paris St Germain sponsorship deals by the Democratic Republic of Congo’s foreign minister as a threat to regional peace and stability.
reut.rs
February 20, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Rwanda says DRC criticism of Arsenal, Bayern and PSG deals threatens regional peace reut.rs/3CPBqhY
Somalia says its army, allied militias repel al Shabaab attacks, kill more than 130 reut.rs/4hKJGPq
Somalia says its army, allied militias repel al Shabaab attacks, kill more than 130
Somalia said on Thursday its army and allied clan militias have fought off coordinated raids on villages by the Islamist al Shabaab armed group in the country's south, killing more than 130 attackers.
reut.rs
February 20, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Somalia says its army, allied militias repel al Shabaab attacks, kill more than 130 reut.rs/4hKJGPq
US sanctions Rwandan minister, militant over DRC conflict, says Treasury www.reuters.com/world/us-san...
US sanctions Rwandan minister, militant over DRC conflict, says Treasury
The U.S. Treasury Department on Thursday imposed sanctions on a Rwandan government minister and a senior member of an armed group for their alleged role in the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to a statement.
www.reuters.com
February 20, 2025 at 4:22 PM
US sanctions Rwandan minister, militant over DRC conflict, says Treasury www.reuters.com/world/us-san...
Burundian soldiers, who have been fighting Rwandan-backed M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, were pulling out following the fall of the city of Bukavu, four sources, including a Burundian army officer and two U.N. officials, said on Tuesday. www.reuters.com/world/africa...
Burundi's army is withdrawing from DR Congo, four sources say
Burundian soldiers, who have been fighting Rwandan-backed M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, were pulling out following the fall of the city of Bukavu, four sources, including a Burundian army officer and two U.N. officials, said on Tuesday.
www.reuters.com
February 18, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Burundian soldiers, who have been fighting Rwandan-backed M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, were pulling out following the fall of the city of Bukavu, four sources, including a Burundian army officer and two U.N. officials, said on Tuesday. www.reuters.com/world/africa...
Nearly 300 foreign mercenaries hired by the Democratic Republic of Congo government to counter an offensive by Rwandan-backed M23 rebels in the east have surrendered and were on their way home on Wednesday. www.reuters.com/world/africa...
Congo's defeated foreign mercenaries head home with 'big relief'
Nearly 300 foreign mercenaries hired by the Democratic Republic of Congo government to counter a swift offensive by Rwandan-backed M23 rebels in the east have surrendered and were on their way home on Wednesday.
www.reuters.com
January 29, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Nearly 300 foreign mercenaries hired by the Democratic Republic of Congo government to counter an offensive by Rwandan-backed M23 rebels in the east have surrendered and were on their way home on Wednesday. www.reuters.com/world/africa...
With fear and fist-bumps, Goma residents greet Congo's M23 rebels again www.reuters.com/world/africa...
With fear and fist-bumps, Goma residents greet Congo's M23 rebels again
Residents greeted the arrival of Rwanda-backed rebels with trepidation, some staying indoors and others coming out to cheer in what one called a "show" of happiness.
www.reuters.com
January 27, 2025 at 2:30 PM
With fear and fist-bumps, Goma residents greet Congo's M23 rebels again www.reuters.com/world/africa...
More than 100 dead dolphins found on Somali coast, cause a mystery www.reuters.com/world/africa...
More than 100 dead dolphins found on Somali coast, cause a mystery
More than 100 dead dolphins have been found on the coast of Somalia's semi-autonomous Puntland region, with officials yet to establish what caused their deaths.
www.reuters.com
January 24, 2025 at 4:39 PM
More than 100 dead dolphins found on Somali coast, cause a mystery www.reuters.com/world/africa...
The government of Somalia's semi-autonomous Jubbaland state said on Thursday it was suspending relations and cooperation with the federal government in Mogadishu following a dispute over local elections in the region. www.reuters.com/world/africa...
Somalia's Jubbaland government suspends ties with federal administration
The government of Somalia's semi-autonomous Jubbaland state said on Thursday it was suspending relations and cooperation with the federal government in Mogadishu following a dispute over local elections in the region.
www.reuters.com
November 28, 2024 at 3:49 PM
The government of Somalia's semi-autonomous Jubbaland state said on Thursday it was suspending relations and cooperation with the federal government in Mogadishu following a dispute over local elections in the region. www.reuters.com/world/africa...
A prominent Ugandan opposition politician was kidnapped during a book launch in Kenya over the weekend, transferred to Uganda and is being held at a military jail in Kampala, his wife said on Wednesday.
November 20, 2024 at 9:09 AM
A prominent Ugandan opposition politician was kidnapped during a book launch in Kenya over the weekend, transferred to Uganda and is being held at a military jail in Kampala, his wife said on Wednesday.
Somaliland opposition leader Abdirahman Cirro defeated incumbent president Muse Bihi Abdi in last week's election, the electoral commission said on Tuesday, setting up a leadership change as the breakaway Somali region pushes for global recognition.
November 19, 2024 at 9:57 AM
Somaliland opposition leader Abdirahman Cirro defeated incumbent president Muse Bihi Abdi in last week's election, the electoral commission said on Tuesday, setting up a leadership change as the breakaway Somali region pushes for global recognition.
Egyptian warship delivers more arms to Somalia, officials say www.reuters.com/world/africa...
Egyptian warship delivers more arms to Somalia, officials say
An Egyptian warship has delivered a second major cache of weaponry to Somalia including anti-aircraft guns and artillery, port and military officials said on Monday, in a move likely to stoke further friction between the two countries and Ethiopia.
www.reuters.com
September 23, 2024 at 1:01 PM
Egyptian warship delivers more arms to Somalia, officials say www.reuters.com/world/africa...
Tanzania arrests opposition leaders to thwart protest www.reuters.com/world/africa...
Tanzania arrests opposition leaders to thwart protest
Tanzanian police arrested two opposition leaders again on Monday, their party and police said, to stop anti-government protests in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam.
www.reuters.com
September 23, 2024 at 1:00 PM
Tanzania arrests opposition leaders to thwart protest www.reuters.com/world/africa...
Strike at Kenya's main airport causing flight delays, cancellations, Kenya Airways says reut.rs/4egC9FH
reut.rs
September 11, 2024 at 6:33 AM
Strike at Kenya's main airport causing flight delays, cancellations, Kenya Airways says reut.rs/4egC9FH
Kenyan court halts proposed Adani lease of country's main airport
September 10, 2024 at 8:39 AM
Kenyan court halts proposed Adani lease of country's main airport
Alleged killer of Ugandan Olympian Cheptegei dies from burns, hospital says reut.rs/4d19YJS
reut.rs
September 10, 2024 at 8:38 AM
Alleged killer of Ugandan Olympian Cheptegei dies from burns, hospital says reut.rs/4d19YJS
Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine shot in leg, his party says reut.rs/47c8Rpr
reut.rs
September 3, 2024 at 6:51 PM
Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine shot in leg, his party says reut.rs/47c8Rpr
Egypt sends arms to Somalia following security pact, sources say www.reuters.com/world/africa...
August 28, 2024 at 4:54 PM
Egypt sends arms to Somalia following security pact, sources say www.reuters.com/world/africa...