# Investigation traces Albanian groups’ rise in UK cocaine trade

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/tv-tonight-an-absorbing-investigation-about-the-albanian-mafia/
- Published: 2026-11-13T06:15:10+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-13T06:32:21+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/nov/13/tv-tonight-an-absorbing-investigation-about-the-albanian-mafia
- Topics: Culture, Entertainment, TV

## Key points

- John Sparks investigates Albanian groups’ influence over the UK cocaine market.
- Children in Need broadcasts live from Salford.
- The evening also includes sport, drama and a film about Judith Heumann.

## Summary

A television investigation reports that Albanian criminal groups have gained control of a large share of the UK cocaine market. Reporter John Sparks examines how direct links with South American cartels, the violent removal of rivals and the use of technology helped them expand.

The article also previews other programmes and live events for the evening, including Children in Need from Salford, a report on cartel recruitment of children in Mexico, and dramas and chat shows. It lists France v South Africa rugby and Scotland v North Macedonia football, alongside a review of the film *Being Heumann*, about disability rights campaigner Judith Heumann.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.