Drug smuggling - Europol: More and more cocaine smuggled into Europe
Cocaine smuggling to Europe continues to increase according to Europol analyses. The record levels of global cocaine production are reflected in the large quantities currently being seized in Europe, a Europol spokesperson told the German Press Agency in The Hague. The violence associated with the trade is also on the rise.
Approximately 70% of cocaine comes to Europe via ports, mainly in Antwerp and Rotterdam, according to Europol. At the same time, criminal organizations are increasingly targeting smaller ports to avoid controls.
In the EU, illegal drugs worth over 31 billion Euro are traded annually, according to Europol. Cannabis is the most commonly traded drug, with around 12 billion Euro, followed by cocaine with around 11.6 billion Euro.
Last year, over 300 tonnes of cocaine were seized in Europe's ports. In Antwerp, investigators secured a record 121 tonnes of cocaine - about ten percent more than the previous year. In the Netherlands, around 60 tonnes were secured. Individual quantities are also becoming increasingly large, according to Europol analysis. The largest single quantity was secured in Rotterdam last year: around 8000 kilograms of cocaine worth around 600 million in a container of bananas.
The successes of drug enforcement agencies show that investigators are gaining more insight into the workings of criminal organizations, the spokesperson said. This was partly due to the crackdown on criminal digital communication networks like Encrochat. Recently, Europol identified the 821 most dangerous criminal networks in the EU.
Europol also warns of the increasing violence related to cocaine smuggling. "The large profits from cocaine trafficking have attracted many criminal networks in the EU to get involved," the spokesperson said. The competition is leading to increasingly violent confrontations. Europol records more murders, shootouts, bomb attacks, kidnappings, torture, and arson.
- The Netherlands, being a key transit country for drugs in Europe, has seen an increase in cocaine seizures, with around 60 tonnes secured last year.
- The record-breaking seizure of 121 tonnes of cocaine in Antwerp, Belgium, is a testament to the significant role Antwerp plays in drug smuggling to Europe.
- The German Press Agency reported that Europol attributed a significant portion of drug smuggling in Europe to criminal organizations, with ports in Antwerp and Rotterdam being their primary targets.
- EU member states, including the Netherlands and Belgium, are facing an annual trade worth over 31 billion Euro in illegal drugs, with cocaine and cannabis accounting for a significant portion of this value.
- The police in Rotterdam, Netherlands, made a record seizure of 8000 kilograms of cocaine last year, hidden inside a container of bananas, showcasing the innovative methods used in drug smuggling.
- Europol's investigations have led to the identification of the 821 most dangerous criminal networks in the EU, many of which are involved in drug smuggling, particularly cocaine.
- The Dutch city of The Hague, home to international institutions like Europol, is a frequent source of information on drug smuggling activities in Europe, providing insights into the complex world of organized crime.
