Where and how do they operate in the UK?
According to the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Addiction's 2016 report, larger Mexican and Colombian criminal groups in Europe have adopted the franchise model - allowing smaller, local partners to use the group's "brand name" and providing them with drugs, contacts, and transportation - in order to navigate the criminal landscape in Europe.
"This is the new commercial model in Europe and we think that the Mexican and Colombian groups are adapting to it, seeking out established collaborators in Europe," Europol Director Rob Wainwright said in spring 2016.
