Europol dismantles criminal gang that trafficked 35 tonnes of cocaine in containers

Europe's law enforcement agency Europol, along with German customs and police, say they have 'dismantled' a criminal organization after seizing 35 tonnes of cocaine, worth 2.6 billion euros, smuggled in containers.

Following the drug discovery, authorities last week searched 24 homes in Cologne and Hamburg, made six arrests and confiscated cash, documents, electronic devices, jewelry and high-end vehicles.

The agency said: “Europol supported the dismantling of a criminal organization that was smuggling large quantities of cocaine in containers from South America.

It said the drugs had been transported largely through the ports of Hamburg, Antwerp and Rotterdam, with the investigation “involving law enforcement authorities from Belgium, the Netherlands, Ecuador and Colombia”.

Attention to criminal networks trafficking cocaine through European ports has intensified recently, with numerous stories of “port drug seizures” making headlines this year.

“Between April and September 2023, the Belgian, Ecuadorian and German authorities seized around 35 tonnes of cocaine linked to the activities of this criminal network,” Europol said. “The network operated from Germany, allegedly organizing the logistics of its criminal activities through the involvement of a large number of front companies, including transport companies, and criminal associates such as administrative staff and drivers.”

Of the 35 tonnes, the vast majority (25 tonnes) were found on box ships in Hamburg, and eight tonnes were found in Rotterdam, collectively valued at €2.6 billion.

The raids in Germany took place a few days after a similar operation, carried out by the European agency, which resulted in the arrest of around 40 people in six countries allegedly involved in drug trafficking through Spanish gates.

Europol estimates that over the past two years at least 200 tonnes of cocaine have been trafficked through Antwerp and Rotterdam, with authorities ill-equipped to tackle the problem.

Every year, EU ports handle around 90 million containers, but border authorities are, at best, only able to inspect 10%, according to Europol.