The Netherlands Significantly less drug smuggling to Rotterdam
According to the Dutch justice system, international drug smuggling is shifting from the Netherlands to southern Europe. Once again - for the third year in a row - significantly fewer drugs were reportedly seized in the port of Rotterdam.
23.01.2025, 15:13
SDA
In 2024, customs investigators discovered almost 26,000 kilograms of drugs in Europe's largest port, mainly cocaine. In the previous year, it was almost twice as much at just over 45,000 kilos. A good 12,500 kilos were discovered in the port of Vlissingen south of Rotterdam, slightly more than in the previous year. According to the public prosecutor's office, drugs with a sales value of more than 917 million euros were seized in the country.
More shipments in France and Spain
The authorities assume that drug gangs are increasingly moving to France and Spain. "A lot is changing in the international trade flows of cocaine," said Jan Janse of the Rotterdam port police. Fewer drugs are also being seized in the nearby Belgian port of Antwerp and in Hamburg. In contrast, investigators in France and Spain are discovering significantly more shipments.
The investigators believe the reason for this is the significantly tightened security measures in the port of Rotterdam. Drones are now being used and containers are being secured more strictly.
Gangs are also using new smuggling methods. For example, the cocaine is processed in packaging material or dissolved in liquids. This makes them more difficult to detect.
