Illegal Drugs & Smuggling
The transport of illegal drugs through European ports and the measures taken by port authorities, national governments and international organisations to counter the efforts of smugglers. This includes news about the European Union and Europol, and illegal drug discoveries in docked ships and ports.
49% less cocaine seized in Belgium’s Antwerp port in H1 24
Antwerp, Belgium (Ports Europe) July 11, 2024 – Belgian customs seized 22.3 tonnes of cocaine in Antwerp Bruges port in the first half of the year, which...
Cocaine seizures in the Netherlands declined 42% in H1, 2024
The Hague, The Netherlands (Ports Europe) July 10, 2024 – The Netherlands’ customs and law enforcement officers seized 42% less cocaine in the first...
3.2 tonnes of cocaine destined for Russia seized in Ecuador
Machala, Ecuador (Ports Europe) July 10, 2024 – Nearly 3.2 tonnes of cocaine hidden in crates of bananas were seized by the Ecuadorian police in the...
Holidaymaker finds ton of cocaine on Borkum island beach
Hamburg, Germany (Ports Europe) July 7, 2024 – Last April, a holidaymaker discovered a number of packages on the beach on the East Frisian island of...
European Union Drugs Agency signs agreement with Ecuador
Lisbon, Portugal (Ports Europe) July 3, 2024 – The new European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) has signed a “working arrangement” with Ecuador....
New European Union Drugs Agency launched
Lisbon, Portugal (Ports Europe) July 3, 2024 – Officials are in Lisbon today to inaugurate the new European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA). The new...
Two Libya-bound military drones seized in Port of Gioia Tauro
Gioia Tauro, Italy (Ports Europe) July 2, 2024 – In an incredible event in the Port of Gioia Tauro, the parts of two Chinese-made military drones...
Cannabis resin seized in Port of Rades, Tunisia
Radès, Tunisia (Ports Europe) July 2, 2024 – The Interior Ministry announced on Sunday that the authorities seized 1,050 bundles of cannabis resin and...
251 kg of cocaine seized after leaving Portugal’s port of Setubal
Setubal, Portugal (Ports Europe) June 30, 2024 – Some 251 kg of cocaine transported in two sea containers, which entered Portugal through the North Atlantic...
3,000 kg of cocaine found in a crane in Moerdijk port
Moerdijk, Netherlands (Ports Europe) June 30, 2024 – Some 3,000 kg of cocaine were discovered by harbour police hidden in a telescopic crane in a...
Peru strengthens the fight against drug trafficking in its ports
Lima, Peru (Ports Europe) June 26, 2024 – A cooperation between the Ministry of the Interior of Peru and la Guardia Civil española (Spanish Civil...
Fake luxury clothing & accessories seized in Trieste port
Trieste, Italy (Ports Europe) June 25, 2024 – In recent weeks, officials of Dogane e Monopoli Agency, Dogane di Trieste and Guardia di Finanza have...
€13 million worth of cannabis resin found in Malta Freeport
Marsaxlokk, Malta (Ports Europe) June 25, 2024 – The authorities have seized €13 million worth of cannabis resin hidden in industrial ovens in a...
3,600 kg cocaine in bananas seized in Vlissingen port
Vlissingen, The Netherlands (Ports Europe) June 21, 2024 – Customs officials at the Netherlands’ port of Vlissingen seized a record 3,600 kg of cocaine,...
Irish ports to join European Ports Alliance to fight illegal drugs
Dublin, Ireland (Ports Europe) June 17, 2024 – The Irish government has set up a high-level implementation group to join the European Ports Alliance. The...
35 tonnes of heroin discovered in Hamburg port
Hamburg, Germany (Ports Europe) June 14, 2024 – After discovering 35 tonnes of heroin worth billions of euro in Germany’s North Sea port of Hamburg in...
Europol: Cocaine cartel collapses after final arrests in Spain
Brussels, Belgium (Ports Europe) June 13, 2024 – Europol has published details of a long-run investigation led by the Spanish Civil Guard (Guardia...
Police stop criminals moving 70 kg cocaine through Barcelona port
Barcelona, Spain (Ports Europe) June 12, 2024 – A joint operation of the French and Chilean police has broken up a criminal gang that was bringing...
Europe’s global organized crime challenge focus of INTERPOL Regional Conference
News – Interpol – Senior law enforcement officials from 54 countries gather to address regional crime threats – June 11, 2024 TIRANA, Albania...
European Drug Report 2024: Trends and Developments
Brussels, Belgium (Ports Europe) June 11, 2024 – The European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) has published “The European...