In response to the growth in contraband drugs entering Europe via ports on the Atlantic seaboard, specialist freight insurer TT Club is increasing its efforts to promote industry awareness of trends in criminal activity and the steps required to restrict its success.

TT Club says that in the past two months, since the beginning of April, examples of criminal gangs utilising the complexity of European import trades to smuggle in drugs have continued to emerge. Reports include cocaine in containers of fruit through the port of Antwerp; in Rotterdam narcotics were discovered in reefer containers carrying melons from Panama; ecstasy with a value of €1.5 million in a truck at Calais and Le Havre emerging as a hotspot for cocaine imports; and 133 kilos of marijuana and hashish at the Port of Motril in southern Spain brought in from North Africa.

Mike Yarwood, managing director loss prevention at TT Club, said: “These are just fragments of the evidence that we have of the crucial role ports are playing in the illicit drug trade across Western Europe. 110 tons of cocaine were seized at the port of Antwerp last year and much has been reported of how the city has become the European hub for drug importation. But the network of channels for the trade is widespread and few ports along the seaboard can turn a blind eye to the problem.”

As part of its efforts to raise awareness, TT is committing significant resource to collating detailed reporting, including that of its partner BSI Screen, to create greater awareness of the sophisticated methods that criminals employ, the extent of their geographical reach and the diverse gateways they are using to supply the vast European market for illicit drugs.

Erica Bressner, BSI’s European analyst, said: “Increasing awareness, particularly the role of European ports in drug smuggling is crucial to restricting this trade, especially as indications show that smuggling at ports may be increasing for certain key narcotics, like cocaine. Europol has reported record-setting seizures of cocaine every year since 2017, particularly in seaports. This points to a growing market for the narcotic as cocaine becomes more affordable to the average consumer.

“In response, European port authorities have worked to implement additional security measures to combat this trade and its concurrent violence. However, the control of the criminal syndicates is such that they have the ability to adapt their smuggling routes to evade authorities. This includes a diversification of smuggling routes to target non-traditional ports of entry where security measures are less intensive.”

Security at the established targeted ports has been increased with various measures, such as a new seventy-strong security corps established in Antwerp, increased CCTV surveillance and the use of drones in Rotterdam, and a specialist anti-drug trafficking police unit in the Netherlands. However, TT Club warns that crime groups are well entrenched, having established long tentacles throughout supply chains, and are sophisticated in their expertise and knowledge of how trade works.

Yarwood added: “We are dealing with global crime syndicates. Efforts to combat their activities will be akin to squeezing a half-inflated balloon, we may constrict them in one or two ports but they will find ways to exploit others. We urge all in our industry then to be aware of the possibilities of drug importation and to take all steps they can to restrict this illicit trade.”

Image courtesy: BSI

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