The Europol report published today showed that cocaine is being smuggled into Europe through new routes and with almost perfect camouflage.
International drug gangs have switched to new methods, according to a report by the European Police Agency in The Hague. They use high technology, high seas transfers, semi-submarines, speedboats, drones and sophisticated hideouts.
– Cocaine trade in Europe has reached unprecedented levels, fueled by high production in Latin America and growing demand within the EU – the Europol report states.
However, gangs are less likely to target major seaports such as Antwerp or Rotterdam, it said.
Europol experts point out that cocaine is hidden in industrial plants, machines or even underwater on the hull of ships.
Gangs also hide drugs with the help of “carrier materials” in food, plastic or textiles. Europol describes it as almost perfect camouflage: “These methods make detection by scanners, sniffer dogs and forensic tests extremely difficult.”
International gangs also use technology such as encrypted communication systems, autonomous ships and drones. They hope to avoid the investigators in this way.
Europol experts indicate that gangs are increasingly transferring goods to a daughter ship on the high seas, which is sailing towards West Africa.
From there, cocaine is transported directly to the European mainland or to the Canary Islands. With the help of a speedboat, the drugs then reach the Andalusian coast, and then the entire European Union.
Europol chief Catherine De Bolle stressed the necessity of international cooperation: “We know that these groups are increasingly diversifying their methods, using smaller vessels, transfers at sea and clever hiding techniques to avoid detection.”
