Until Christmas, 68 tons of cocaine have been seized in the Dutch ports. In Rotterdam, 65.000 kilos were intercepted. A significant increase compared to the 49.000 kilos that customs took in 2020.
"What surprises us is the enormous increase in large shipments," customs chief Nanette van Schelven told NOS. This year at least nine consignments totaling more than 1.000 kilos have been found. The largest was that of 4,2 tons of cocaine hidden in sacks of soybeans and spread over two containers.
Larger cocaine shipments and better techniques
That there is more cocaine intercepted is not only due to the fact that the shipments are getting bigger. The technology has also been greatly improved. Drones and diving teams make it easier to trace the drugs. In addition, customs are getting better at recognizing risk containers.
In September, the European police organization Europol published a report stating that the increased use of sea containers to transport drugs has made the ports of Antwerp, Rotterdam and Hamburg the epicenter of the European cocaine market. Although Antwerp is the largest port of arrival for cocaine, most of the drugs are "probably intended for organizations operating from the Netherlands, from where the cocaine is further distributed to other European destinations," according to Europol.
Read more on Rijnmond.nl (source, NE)
