- Customs authorities intercepted substantial quantities of illicit substances.
Frankfurt Customs Enforcement Agents Retrieve Over 6.2 metric Tons of Illicit Substances in 2023
Frankfurt-based customs officials confiscated over 6.2 metric tons of illicit substances within their domain in 2023. This haul consisted of over 1 ton of cocaine, 1.5 tons of cannabis, and nearly 2 tons of the stimulant khat, as per the Customs Investigation Department's announcements. Khat leaves and shoots have a stimulating effect and are categorized as narcotics under German law. Moreover, agents recovered approximately 10.7 metric tons of compounds utilized for synthesizing banned substances.
"The seizure statistics illustrate that the demand for illicit substances continues to thrive on the black market," commented Nicole Siebert, the newly appointed head of the department. "The smuggling of narcotics is executed in stealthy methods, including via postal services or concealed within cargo shipments."
The Frankfurt Customs Investigation Department's area of responsibility encompasses the three federal states of Hesse, Rhineland-Pfalz, and Saarland, alongside various municipalities in North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, Bavaria, and Thuringia, home to around 12.5 million inhabitants.
In 2023, the customs investigation also retrieved an extraordinary number of unauthorized and prohibited medications and performance-enhancing drugs - a collective of approximately 170,000 tablets, 133 kg of powder, 8,700 ampoules, and 26 liters.
Press Release
"In light of these findings, the following is added: The Frankfurt Customs Investigation Department's report highlights an alarming trend of increasing attempts to illegally traffic illicit substances and banned medications within their jurisdiction."
"Furthermore, in response to the escalating issue, the department plans to intensify their efforts and implement new strategies to combat these transgressions, as stated in the upcoming press release."
