The European Union is grappling with an unprecedented escalation in drug trafficking, with officials estimating that over 100 tons of cocaine enter the continent each year—a figure that European security agencies admit may represent only a fraction of the true scale.

EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson reiterated in her presentation of the “EU Drug Roadmap” earlier this year that European seaports, particularly in the North Sea region, have become primary gateways exploited by powerful criminal networks.

North Sea ports at the center of the Cocaine Boom

Global cocaine production has surged by more than 160% over the past 15 years, reaching around 2,700 tons, much of which is destined for European markets. The EU's drug economy is now valued at over €31 billion, with cocaine and heroin accounting for more than half of the total.

The ports of Rotterdam (Netherlands) and Antwerp (Belgium)—handling millions of containers every year—have emerged as the most critical entry points for illegal shipments. Their sheer size and traffic volume provide ideal cover for traffickers.

Belgian customs alone seized 116 tons of cocaine in 2023, though the numbers dropped slightly in 2024–2025. Experts warn that the decline does not indicate reduced trafficking but rather a shift toward fragmented routes and smaller shipments, making detection more difficult.

Shift toward France and secondary ports

As inspections intensified, criminal organizations diversified their entry points. Seizures have risen sharply at Le Havre and Dunkerque in France, where authorities confiscated 53.5 tons of narcotics in 2024.

Some traffickers have employed deceptive methods such as duplicate container markings, allowing fake containers to slip through security systems. Even relatively small ports are being tested. In La Rochelle, authorities uncovered 124 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a cellulose shipment in 2022.

Rise of Balkan cartels

Another significant trend is the growing influence of Balkan-based criminal groups, which have established direct ties with Latin American cartels. According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime’s 2024 report, these networks have built stable cocaine supply chains, using a mix of commercial vessels, locally made mini-submarines, and unmanned aerial vehicles for transportation.

A major Europol operation in 2024 dismantled one such Balkan network and resulted in the seizure of 8 tons of cocaine.

Africa, South America, and Emerging Routes

The European Union Drug Agency reports that smuggling routes have diversified significantly:

• West Africa → Canary Islands → Cape Verde → Madeira
• Northward shift of cannabis trafficking via Gibraltar
• Multi-stage sea–land–air transportation corridors

This diversification demonstrates how rapidly organized crime adapts to both enforcement strategies and geopolitical changes.

From Drones to fruit crates: Traffickers innovate

Recent investigations reveal increasingly inventive tactics:

• Spanish and Moroccan authorities dismantled a network in late 2025 using 18 locally manufactured drones to transport drugs across the Strait of Gibraltar.
• Belgian customs found cocaine concealed inside bananas, carbonated drinks, and refrigerator units in early 2025.
• Smugglers hide drugs inside perishable food shipments, exploiting rapid unloading requirements.
• Corruption in several ports enables traffickers to access inspection schedules ahead of time.

Belgian Customs Director Christian Vanderveren warned that criminal groups are “constantly modifying their methods,” emphasizing that the fight against illegal trade is far from over.

EU Commissioner Johansson has called for a continent-wide early warning system and stronger coordination between member states to counter the evolving threat.

(ILKHA)