United StatesOwnership & classification
Founded: 2006
Ownership
The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project was founded in 2006 by journalists Drew Sullivan and Paul Radu as a global investigative-journalism network. It is run as a nonprofit, registered in 2012 under the name Journalism Development Network, and operates as a consortium of member outlets rather than being owned by any individual or company.
Funding
OCCRP is grant-funded. The single largest source historically has been the U.S. government (State Department, USAID and the National Endowment for Democracy), which provided roughly half its budget over 2014-2023, alongside the Soros-founded Open Society Foundations and other philanthropies; it does not run on advertising. After 2025 it moved to reduce reliance on U.S. government money.
Affiliation & stance
OCCRP says it maintains editorial independence and donors do not control coverage, and it is widely cited for cross-border corruption investigations. Critics note its heavy past dependence on U.S. government grants; on balance it is a donor- and grant-funded nonprofit not controlled by a party, owner or state directing its journalism, so it is classified INDEPENDENT (center to center-left).
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Progressive
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 99
82/100
Factual
78/100
Objective
102
Articles
102
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage
Cocaine Boatmen Are Being Blown Up By US Airstrikes, But The Drugs Keep Flowing From Colombia
In the Colombian peninsula of La Guajira, U.S. airstrikes targeting suspected narco-traffickers have resulted in significant casualties but have not stopped the flow of cocaine from the region. Local residents describe a pattern where after drone attacks and explosions, debris including drugs and human remains wash ashore. Despite the U.S. military's Operation Southern Spear, which has conducted over 70 strikes killing at least 235 people, locals report that drug trafficking continues unabated. Officials and residents suggest that while individual boat operators may be killed or arrested, criminal networks quickly replace them, maintaining the smuggling operation. The region remains a critical hub for cocaine smuggling, with locals indicating that the trade provides one of the few viable livelihoods despite the risks.
The US Blacklists Alleged Venezuelan Cyber Crime Mastermind
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has blacklisted Aníbal Alexander Canelón Aguirre, a Venezuelan national listed on the FBI’s 'Ten Most Wanted' list, as a key figure in the financial operations of the Tren de Aragua (TdA) criminal gang. Canelón Aguirre is accused of orchestrating a large-scale ATM fraud scheme using malware, known as 'jackpotting,' which enables thieves to extract cash from ATMs. He is among six Venezuelans and three Mexicans added to a sanctions list that restricts their access to the global financial system. The U.S. authorities claim they have apprehended him, though he remains listed on the FBI’s website as a fugitive. The FBI’s Director, Kash Patel, stated that the arrest clears the agency’s 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list, but provided no details on the operation or collaboration with Venezuelan authorities. The OCCRP sought comment from the Venezuelan government, which did not respond.
Fiji Overhauls Evidence Security After 52 Kilos of Cocaine Vanish from Court
Fiji's police chief has mandated the transfer of all illicit drugs and cash to secure police vaults after 52.4 kilograms of cocaine disappeared from a High Court evidence room in Suva. Much of the missing contraband was replaced with flour, raising concerns over security and corruption within the police force. The incident occurred amid growing challenges related to drug trafficking and domestic drug use, which have contributed to rising HIV rates linked to intravenous methamphetamine use. The stolen evidence was connected to the case of Joshua Rahman, a Canadian-Fijian national convicted of possessing cocaine in 2019. Additionally, authorities are investigating a prior theft of 12 kilograms of cocaine from the same facility in March, linked to the case of former Australian horse trainer John Nikolic. Six individuals with access to the evidence room are under scrutiny, and preliminary findings indicate that the courthouse's surveillance and security systems were non-functional at the time.
EU Froze Sierra Leone Aid for Harboring Alleged Drug Kingpin, Netherlands Says
The European Commission has suspended approximately $20 million in aid to Sierra Leone's 2026 budget, citing the country's alleged harboring of Dutch national Joseph 'Jos' Leijdekkers, a convicted drug trafficker. Dutch Justice Minister David van Weel stated that the EU's decision follows non-cooperation with the Netherlands' extradition request for Leijdekkers, who faces over 100 years in prison for drug trafficking and other crimes. Leijdekkers' lawyer denies his involvement in large-scale cocaine shipments from Sierra Leone. The Sierra Leone government disputes the claim, asserting that the aid delay was due to procedural issues, not the extradition request, and that the country remains committed to international cooperation against organized crime. EU Commissioner Magnus Brunner clarified that the aid suspension was due to technical reasons, not the alleged harboring of Leijdekkers.
Amnesty Report Documents Morocco's Sustained Spyware Campaign Against Civil Society
Amnesty International has released a report detailing Morocco's use of surveillance spyware, including Pegasus from NSO Group, against civil society figures between 2017 and 2021. The report provides technical and forensic evidence confirming the Moroccan government's acquisition of Pegasus and its targeting of activists, journalists, and human rights defenders. It highlights the evolution of Morocco's digital surveillance capabilities, tracing their use back to the early 2010s with systems like Eagle, RCS, and FinSpy. The report notes that Moroccan security agencies, including the DGST and CSDN, purchased these tools as early as 2009, with some contracts dating back further. Despite the findings, the Moroccan government has not commented on the allegations.
U.K. Sanctions Four Georgians Over Occupied Ukraine Visit
The United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on four Georgian individuals, including the brother-in-law of Tbilisi's mayor, for 'legitimising Russia's occupation of Ukrainian territory' after they visited the head of a Russian-backed separatist republic in the Donetsk People’s Republic. The sanctions are part of a broader UK response to increased Russian drone attacks on Ukraine, targeting Russia's 'shadow fleet,' propaganda efforts, and alleged human rights violations. The four sanctioned individuals, Paata Abuladze, Mamuka Pipia, Giorgi Iremadze, and Nikoloz Mzhavanadze, met with separatist leader Denis Pushilin, who praised the visit as supportive of the region's residents. Some of the sanctioned individuals criticized the UK's actions, with Pipia calling the sanctions a 'reward' and Mzhavanadze calling the decision 'shameful.' Abuladze claimed the sanctions were a formality and that he would still visit the Donbas region.
Ex-Hungarian Minister Detained in $53 Million Graft Probe
Former Hungarian Culture Minister Balázs Hankó was detained in pretrial custody over allegations of misusing $53 million in state funds to benefit the ruling Fidesz party of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The charges stem from an investigation alleging that Hankó orchestrated a scheme to funnel public grants to politically aligned entities between 2025 and 2026. After Hungary's parliament stripped his legislative immunity, Hankó claimed the arrest was politically motivated, calling it a 'show trial.' The case is part of a broader anti-corruption drive led by current Prime Minister Péter Magyar, who succeeded Orbán. Fidesz has condemned the move as authoritarian, vowing to hold those involved accountable. Another former Orbán-era minister, Miklós Seszták, was also detained in a related bribery probe.
Raids Across Europe Target Far-Right Network Accused of Producing Neo-Nazi Music
Authorities in five European countries conducted coordinated raids targeting a suspected far-right criminal network accused of creating and distributing neo-Nazi music that promotes hate, National Socialist ideology, racism, and antisemitism. Four individuals, ranging in age from 43 to 55, are under investigation for alleged membership in the organization, with one potentially serving as the ringleader. The operation, involving over 394 police officers and special units, included searches in Germany, Poland, Estonia, the Czech Republic, and Italy, coordinated via Eurojust. While no arrests were planned, authorities seized items such as vinyl records and examined properties linked to suspects and associates. No specific names of the organization, record labels, or songs were disclosed.
Leaked Warrant List Reveals How Turkmenistan Targets Critics Abroad
The article reveals that Turkmenistan's authoritarian regime uses a leaked warrant list to target critics both domestically and abroad. Nurmuhammet Annayev, a critic living in exile, is listed as a political suspect for 'calls for an armed seizure of power' and 'extremist activities.' The warrant list, obtained by Turkmen.news, identifies 613 Turkmenistan citizens overseas, with 93 facing political charges such as terrorism and conspiracy to seize power. At least 26 share similar charges as Annayev. Verification confirmed some cases, and at least three individuals were later returned to Turkmenistan and convicted. Human Rights Watch describes the regime as highly oppressive, noting that activists and journalists, even in exile, face persecution through fabricated charges. Religious and organized crime-related accusations are also included in the list, despite Turkmenistan's constitution guaranteeing religious freedom.
Egyptian Security Services Arrest Entire Newsroom within 24 Hours
Egyptian security services have arrested six journalists associated with the independent investigative journalism platform Matsadaash over a two-day period. The raids began with home searches targeting two journalists on Monday evening and continued into Tuesday, resulting in the arrest of the entire editorial team. The news platform issued a statement criticizing the lack of clear explanation or legal justification for the actions. The journalists' legal representatives, including the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, reported that the detainees' locations remain unknown and they have been denied access to family members or legal counsel.
Seven Arrested in Massive EU Fraud Scheme Selling Used Phones as New
International law enforcement authorities, led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), arrested seven individuals, including two alleged leaders, as part of a cross-border operation targeting a criminal network accused of selling over one million used mobile phones as new. The scheme, named 'Troja,' involved more than 1,700 officers conducting 160 searches across 19 countries. Prosecutors claim the group defrauded EU consumers of at least 300 million euros ($340 million) and caused 30 million euros ($34 million) in VAT losses. The network sourced used components from Hong Kong and the UAE, shipped devices through the Netherlands to German warehouses, and sold them online as new. They exploited a tax loophole using shell companies in several EU nations to avoid paying full VAT, thereby creating significant financial harm across member states.
Trafigura Bought Venezuelan Gold in ‘Historic’ US Deal in March. It’s Still in Storage.
The U.S. government recently allowed gold imports from Venezuela for the first time in seven years, following the relaxation of sanctions imposed during the Trump administration. Trafigura, a major commodities trading firm, became the first international buyer under this new arrangement, agreeing to purchase up to 1 metric ton of Venezuelan gold dore in March. However, despite the deal being labeled 'historic' by the White House, the gold remains stored and unsold, possibly due to supply chain challenges and ethical sourcing requirements. Trafigura claims it is implementing a responsible sourcing program, including third-party audits of Minerven, the state-owned gold mining company. The change in policy followed the U.S. operation to arrest Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, as well as efforts to reform Venezuela's gold industry.
Iraqi Lawmaker Sentenced to 7 Years, Fined $21 Million for Illicit Enrichment
An Iraqi court has sentenced sitting lawmaker Mohammed Farman Shaher to seven years in prison for illicit enrichment. The ruling requires him to pay over $21.4 million in restitution and fines, including 11.8 billion Iraqi dinars ($9.01 million) and $1.73 million in illicit gains. Shaher was arrested on June 28 and currently serves on parliament’s Oil and Gas Committee. He is a member of the Sunni Taqaddum Party, which includes prominent figures such as former parliament speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi and current speaker Haibat al-Halbousi.