Antwerp and Rotterdam Crack Down on Cocaine Seizures

BRUSSELS — Cocaine seizures in Belgium and the Netherlands have significantly decreased this year, prompting traffickers to redirect their operations to less scrutinized ports in southern and northern Europe. Kristian Vanderwaeren, Belgium's customs chief, noted that the increased enforcement in major ports like Antwerp and Rotterdam has made these locations less appealing to drug gangs, leading to a rise in cocaine seizures in Spain and Scandinavian countries. The shift in trafficking routes has raised concerns about the spread of drug-related violence across Europe. Recent incidents, such as the attempted theft of seized drugs from a customs building in Antwerp, highlight the escalating risks as gangs adapt to law enforcement efforts. The European Commission, alongside Belgium's presidency of the EU Council, has initiated a Ports Alliance aimed at enhancing security and collaboration among governments, law enforcement, and shipping companies to combat drug trafficking effectively. Currently, 31 ports have joined this initiative, emphasizing the need for a coordinated response to the evolving drug trade. European officials, including Belgian Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden, have engaged with Latin American counterparts to address the root causes of cocaine trafficking. However, Belgian customs officials have identified unexpected sources, such as Sierra Leone, as significant origins for cocaine seized in Antwerp, suggesting that new smuggling routes may be emerging beyond the traditional focus on Latin America.