Peter Appleby, Author at InSight Crime

Crystal methamphetamine.

News Synthetic Drugs

Extradition of Precursor Chemical Broker Hits Heart of Synthetic Drug Trade

by Peter Appleby 17 May 202417 May 2024

Lines of cocaine on a dark surface. Líneas de cocaína en una superficie oscura.

News Cocaine Europe

Flood of Cocaine Spreads Beyond Europe’s Cities, Wastewater Shows

by Peter Appleby 12 Apr 202417 Apr 2024

A highway sign outside Culiacán spray-painted with “Chapisa,” a reference to the Chapitos faction of the Sinaloa Cartel.

Mexico Fentanyl Production Migrates North as Chapitos Death Threats Loom

by Parker Asmann, Victoria Dittmar and Peter Appleby 18 Mar 202418 Mar 2024

A farmer works at an avocado plantation in El Carmen ranch in the community of Tochimilco, Puebla State, Mexico. Un agricultor trabaja en una plantación de aguacate en el rancho El Carmen en la comunidad de Tochimilco, Estado de Puebla, México.

News Environmental Crime

How Criminal Groups Help Expand Mexico’s Multibillion-Dollar Avocado Industry

by Peter Appleby 5 Mar 202411 Mar 2024

Rows of Honduran soldiers deployed under state of emergency

News Security Policy

Honduras and El Salvador: Two States of Emergency With Very Different Results

by Peter Appleby and Steven Dudley 6 Dec 20237 Dec 2023

A photo showing the Fontaine Hospital Center, which was evacuated after reports of gang activity in the nearby area.

Haiti Crime Boss’ Death Signals Possible Shift in Balance of Power

by Peter Appleby 23 Nov 202323 Nov 2023

Argentina flags wave in front of the congress building

Argentina’s Presidential Candidates Promise Hardline Responses to Rising Insecurity

by Peter Appleby and Christopher Newton 20 Oct 202320 Oct 2023

A screenshot of Rafael Curruchiche of FECI announcing the suspension of Movimiento Semilla.

News Elites and Crime

Guatemala’s Elections in Disarray As Corrupt Elites Cling to Power

by Peter Appleby 14 Jul 20233 Apr 2024

An image of Luciano Marín Arango, alias "Iván Márquez"

Death of Iván Márquez Simplifies Colombia Peace Negotiations

by Peter Appleby 10 Jul 202325 Jun 2024

Officials begin the vote counting process in a voting center in Guatemala.

Guatemala Elites Meddle Again in Presidential Election, Suspending Results

by Peter Appleby 4 Jul 202313 Oct 2023

Latin America’s Homicide Hotspots

by Christopher Newton, Chris Dalby and Peter Appleby 15 Jun 20233 Jul 2024

InSight Crime’s 2022 Homicide Round-Up

by Peter Appleby, Chris Dalby, Sean Doherty, Scott Mistler-Ferguson and Henry Shuldiner 8 Feb 202313 Mar 2024

Stay Informed With InSight Crime

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive a weekly digest of the latest organized crime news and stay up-to-date on major events, trends, and criminal dynamics from across the region.

We go into the field to interview, report, and investigate. We then verify, write, and edit, providing the tools to generate real impact.

Our work is costly and high risk. Please support our mission investigating organized crime.