Shadows of European Drug Trafficking: The Polygraph as a Dangerous Weapon in Criminal Disputes

Mar 24, 2025

Introduction

Over the past few years, the European Polygraph Association (Europolygraph) has observed a disturbing rise in requests for polygraph services from criminal gangs involved in drug trafficking. At first glance, this practice might appear more akin to a Hollywood storyline, yet it has taken root in several European countries where drug culture has grown significantly, particularly in Spain, the United Kingdom, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Evidence points to the use of polygraph examiners by these organizations to identify internal leaks—known as “snitches” or “the tip-off”—and to resolve conflicts stemming from thefts of drugs or cash, commonly referred to as “vuelcos.”

A “vuelco” typically occurs when one criminal gang seizes large quantities of drugs or money—either on its own or in collusion with informants within another group—in order to reap multimillion-euro profits. In their desperation to pinpoint the traitor, gang leaders turn to a polygraph examiner who is enticed by the promise of substantial payment to test multiple suspects. However, this scenario places the examiner in extreme physical and legal jeopardy. Furthermore, using a lie-detector test in a context marked by coercion and violence seriously compromises its validity, violating the ethical and legal principles upheld by Europolygraph.

In this extended article, we will delve into the background of this issue, examine the dangers facing examiners, and highlight the escalating violence reported in key European regions. We will also explore the prevalence of “vuelcos” in Spain, the United Kingdom, Belgium, and the Netherlands, tying these instances to the growing demand for polygraph services. Finally, we will discuss the disciplinary and legal consequences that await examiners who choose to comply with such illegal requests, thus reinforcing the European Polygraph Association’s (Europolygraph) commitment to preserving the integrity of the profession.

  1. The Rise of Drug Trafficking and the “Vuelco” Phenomenon

The so-called “vuelcos” emerge out of rivalry and competition among criminal organizations vying to maximize profit. In Europe, drug trafficking is a multibillion-euro industry sustained by smuggling routes from source regions (primarily Latin America and North Africa) to major distribution and consumption hubs. Among the most common methods used to orchestrate these thefts are:

  1. Highway or Transport Hijackings: Reports have documented fake police vehicles or rival gangs posing as law enforcement officers stopping vans and trucks carrying drug shipments, then seizing the cargo.
  2. Warehouse and Industrial Facility Robberies: Many groups store or process drugs in industrial sites, remote houses, or clandestine locations before distributing them. Rival or breakaway factions often raid these sites to steal the merchandise.
  3. Internal Collusion: An increasing number of incidents involve gang members collaborating with competing groups in exchange for a share of the stolen goods. Such betrayal—referred to colloquially as “giving the tip-off”—is often the spark for violent disputes and the primary impetus for seeking a polygraph test.

The scale of “vuelcos” can vary. Sometimes these thefts represent relatively small hauls worth tens of thousands of euros. However, in large-scale drug shipments, a single theft can cost millions, triggering severe retaliation in the form of torture, kidnapping, death threats, and, regrettably, even murder.

  1. The Málaga Case: A Stark Example of Extreme Cruelty

One of the most shocking incidents illustrating the brutality of these conflicts took place in the province of Málaga. A young Dutch man was found severely injured, missing two of his fingers, after supposedly “failing” a polygraph test conducted in England. According to multiple reports, the criminal gang subjecting him to the polygraph suspected him of being responsible for a high-value drug loss. When the results indicated he was “unreliable,” they subjected him to a gruesome punishment.

This case not only underscores the violence present in these circles but also demonstrates how the polygraph can be twisted into a tool for psychological pressure and torture. In criminal environments, the mere suspicion of betrayal can be enough to trigger a cycle of threats, mutilation, and extrajudicial punishments.

  1. European Regions Most Affected

Although drug trafficking and criminal gangs operate across borders, there are specific areas in Europe where authorities have noted a higher incidence of “vuelcos” and, consequently, a heightened risk of criminal organizations seeking polygraph services.

3.1. Spain

  • Key Hotspots: Andalusia, the Costa del Sol, and the Campo de Gibraltar have become intensive narcotics corridors, largely due to their close proximity to North Africa.
  • Documented Cases: Operations like “Operación Dismantle” and “Operación Cartel” have revealed highly organized networks controlling the influx of hashish and cocaine. Investigations show that insider leaks are a frequent catalyst for million-euro “vuelcos” and violent payback.

3.2. United Kingdom

  • Widespread Networks: Cities such as London, Liverpool, and Manchester serve as strategic distribution hubs. Multiple local and foreign-origin gangs operate simultaneously to maintain lucrative drug markets.
  • Reported Practices: Several reports indicate rival factions have seized cocaine or cannabis shipments en route from Spain or the Netherlands. When internal betrayal is suspected, clandestine requests for polygraph services often emerge.

3.3. Belgium

  • Port of Antwerp: One of the major entry points for cocaine into Europe, rivaling ports in northern Spain and southern France.
  • “Vuelcos” and Corruption: High-volume drug shipments frequently breed corruption, implicating port employees and criminal conspiracies. This environment increases the odds that rival organizations might contract a polygraph examiner to ferret out would-be traitors.

3.4. The Netherlands

  • Rotterdam and Amsterdam: The port of Rotterdam is among Europe’s largest, making it a prime gateway for cocaine from South America. Amsterdam, meanwhile, is a major hub for synthetic drugs like MDMA (ecstasy).
  • Polygraph Usage: Reports suggest some Dutch criminal groups prefer to hire foreign examiners to keep a low profile. Likewise, clandestine labs may sometimes use impromptu polygraph tests on their members suspected of leaking information.
  1. A Selection of Publicly Reported “Vuelcos” or Robberies
  1. “Costa del Sol Vuelco” (Spain, 2019): Authorities dismantled a ring specializing in stealing shipments of hashish and cocaine from other syndicates. Investigations discovered notes referencing “interviews” allegedly conducted by a so-called lie-detector expert.
  2. Liverpool Hijacking (United Kingdom, 2020): A group disguised as police stopped a truck carrying 50 kilograms of cocaine. The victimized gang reportedly offered large sums to a polygraph examiner to identify the informant.
  3. Operation Antwerp (Belgium, 2021): Various criminal groups were accused of plotting the theft of containers holding over 500 kilograms of cocaine. Belgian press accounts mention suspects referencing “truth tests” as a method of internal security.
  4. Rotterdam Incident (The Netherlands, 2022): A boat carrying 200 kilograms of amphetamines was intercepted. Following the seizure, suspicions arose about a dock worker’s involvement, leading to rumors of a polygraph test to identify who had leaked information to either the authorities or rival gangs.

While in some cases there is no conclusive evidence that an actual polygraph test took place, law enforcement agencies repeatedly highlight the growing interest in polygraph technology within criminal networks.

 

  1. Critical Risks for the Polygraph Examiner
  1. Physical Danger
    Simply meeting with a criminal gang can be perilous. Often, the examiner is transported to an undisclosed location without access to help, and may be forced to relinquish phones or even be hooded to ensure they remain unaware of their whereabouts. If the gang leaders are dissatisfied with the polygraph results, the examiner faces potential threats, physical harm, or worse.
  2. Legal Liability
    Collaborating with criminal organizations—even if only to conduct a polygraph exam—may be viewed as complicity in illicit activities. Depending on the jurisdiction, examiners might be charged with aiding and abetting or concealment of criminal acts, which can incur substantial fines or prison terms.
  3. Ethical and Professional Repercussions
    The European Polygraph Association (Europolygraph) adheres to a strict code of ethics and professional conduct forbidding any involvement with groups operating outside the law. Violating this code results in immediate expulsion from the association, revocation of credentials, and a permanent ban from legitimate professional practice.

Damage to the Polygraph’s Credibility
In forensic or legitimate private contexts, a polygraph exam depends on the subject’s voluntary cooperation and proper test conditions. In criminal scenarios rife with intimidation, drug use, and fear, the test’s reliability is severely undermined. Additionally, the public image of the polygraph may suffer if it becomes associated with violent and unlawful activities.

  1. How Gangs Enforce Polygraph Exams

When criminal organizations decide to use a polygraph, they usually adopt a series of steps to retain full control over the process:

  1. Initial Contact: Often made indirectly through intermediaries offering very high fees. At this stage, the examiner may not immediately realize the client’s true nature.
  2. Frequent Changes of Location: To avoid detection and prevent the examiner from identifying the site, they might be driven in cars with tinted windows or forced to wear a hood.
  3. Isolation and Coercion: Upon arrival, the examiner’s communication devices are confiscated, and they may be guarded by armed individuals to discourage escape or manipulation of results.
  4. Forced Sessions: The examiner could be pressured to test multiple gang members under conditions that flout standard protocols (e.g., no rest period, an atmosphere of intimidation, no privacy).
  5. Immediate Result Demands: Criminals want a quick identification of the supposed “traitor.” If the examiner’s conclusion does not align with their suspicions, they may threaten the examiner until they “revise” the findings.
  1. Disciplinary Measures and Sanctions

The European Polygraph Association (Europolygraph) takes a hardline stance: any member providing services to criminal organizations or enabling serious human rights violations faces immediate and permanent expulsion. Beyond professional expulsion, such cooperation can result in criminal charges in various countries, including hefty fines and potential incarceration for the complicit examiner.

Internationally, the American Polygraph Association—referenced here only briefly—upholds ethical standards that likewise prohibit illegal or unethical practices. Ultimately, national legislations determine the boundary between innocuous collaboration and criminal complicity.

  1. Recommendations for Polygraph Examiners

To avoid becoming entangled in these dangerous scenarios or being tempted by high fees:

  1. Verify Client Background: Conduct a thorough review of any prospective client’s legitimacy and reputation. If you detect evidence of illicit activity or inconsistencies in their story, decline the request.
  2. Demand Proper Conditions: Polygraph exams must be conducted in a safe, legally recognized environment, with the subject’s informed consent. Under no circumstance should they occur in remote locations without the possibility of assistance.
  3. Consult Official Organizations: Europolygraph can offer guidance and serve as a point of reference if there are doubts about a potential client’s legitimacy.
  4. Report Suspicious Approaches: If a criminal group attempts to hire an examiner, the examiner should alert local authorities and inform Europolygraph to help prevent potentially tragic outcomes.

 

Conclusion

The rising interest in polygraph services among drug trafficking organizations in Spain, the United Kingdom, Belgium, and the Netherlands reveals a willingness to employ any tool that consolidates their power and eliminates internal leaks. Far from being a legitimate business opportunity, such requests carry grave risks for the examiner’s life, well-being, and legal standing.

Cases like the young Dutch man in Málaga who suffered finger amputations exemplify the shocking violence that can unfold in these environments and highlight the urgent need to warn the polygraph community about the dangers of cooperating with criminal outfits. The European Polygraph Association (Europolygraph) reaffirms its commitment to transparency, legality, and ethical standards, urging all members to categorically refuse offers or engagements that violate human dignity or international regulations.

Safeguarding the profession’s reputation requires raising awareness of these hazards and coordinating with the proper authorities to eliminate the criminal misuse of the polygraph. Only through a shared, unwavering commitment to ethics, respect for human rights, and the rule of law can we preserve the integrity of a tool designed to seek truth—rather than serve as yet another cog in the violent machinery of organized crime.