The Fate of Madagascar’s Endangered Rosewoods

In Madagascar, rosewood traders are kingmakers, felling trees — and governments. Going undercover, reporters found how they make millions smuggling the rare bleeding timber to China.

Stockpiled rosewood logs for export in the Sava region of Madagascar. Credit: OCCRP

Read more: The Fate of Madagascar’s Endangered Rosewoods

Cyprus Records Shed Light on Libya's Hidden Millions

Newly leaked records from Cyprus show how a Gaddafi-era procurement official who stole millions from his country's government used offshore companies and multiple bank accounts to channel and launder the proceeds abroad.

Edin Pasovic / OCCRP

Read more: Cyprus Records Shed Light on Libya's Hidden Millions

Going Bananas: Flanders Transformed into Hub for International Cocaine Trafficking

A Belgian mobster was able to smuggle tons of cocaine into Europe by hiding it in fruit shipments. When the time came to launder the profits, he looked to Slovakia.

Read more: Going Bananas: Flanders Transformed into Hub for International Cocaine Trafficking

The Gambian Government Continues Controversial Contract

Under the rule of ousted dictator Yahya Jammeh, the Gambian government signed an opaque contract with a controversial firm to manage its citizens’ identity documents. The new rulers promise a new way of doing things, but they’re sticking to the deal.

Adama Barrow, President of The Gambia since January 2017. Credit: Marvanda

Read more: The Gambian Government Continues Controversial Contract

The Secret Players Behind Macedonia's Fake News Sites

The fake news sites that flourished in Macedonia in 2016 weren’t just the work of local teenagers — they involved ultra-partisan American writers, including a GOP candidate for Nevada's State Assembly. Security agencies are also probing possible connections to Russia.

A man reads a magazine near a newsstand in Skopje, Macedonia, 2017.

Read more: The Secret Players Behind Macedonia's Fake News Sites

Russian Businessman Behind Unrest in Macedonia

A Russian billionaire living in Greece has given hundreds of thousands of euros to Macedonian opponents of the country’s proposed name change. The recipients include football hooligans who have rioted in the capital.

Russian-Greek businessman Ivan Savvidi. (Credit: Alchetron)

Read more: Russian Businessman Behind Unrest in Macedonia

Georgian Prosecutors Investigating Spanish Basketball Deal

The Georgian Basketball Federation signed an expensive deal to develop its young players in Spain. Nearly four years later, it has almost nothing to show for it — and prosecutors are on the case.

Nika Darbaidze (#11) participated in a player development deal with Spain’s Saski Baskonia team, but decided to join the Georgian national team instead of returning to Spain for a second season. (Photo: iFact.ge)

Read more: Georgian Prosecutors Investigating Spanish Basketball Deal

Bad Romanian Horse Meat Stampedes Across Europe

Over and over again, Romanian horse meat laced with cadmium made its way into European markets. A new investigation finds that the companies involved used counterfeit documents — issued by Romanian veterinarians overseen by food safety officials.

Credit: Edin Pasovic, OCCRP

Read more: Bad Romanian Horse Meat Stampedes Across Europe

President Poroshenko’s Lawyers Go on the Defensive

The original Panama Papers investigation revealed how Ukraine’s president, Petro Poroshenko, used offshore companies to maintain control of his candy empire — in contradiction of his official statements. A new leak of files shows how his lawyers scrambled to protect him behind the scenes as the publication date approached.

Read more: President Poroshenko’s Lawyers Go on the Defensive

Secret Deals Undermined Tech Firm Working for Russian Military

Thermal imaging devices, such as night-vision goggles, are the eyes of a modern army. With their help, military operations can be undertaken even at night or in poor visibility.

Credit: Edin Pasovic / OCCRP

Read more: Secret Deals Undermined Tech Firm Working for Russian Military