This article was translated by the European Union Delegation to Brazil from the Flemish source “Cocaïnetsunami blijft hier toekomen”: dit jaar al 43 ton cocaïne onderschept in Antwerpse haven | VRT NWS: nieuws
In the first six months of this year, 43 tons of cocaine were seized in the Port of Antwerp, according to customs figures. “The cocaine tsunami continues to arrive in Antwerp,” says Kristian Vanderwaeren, Head of Customs. “It just keeps going.”
2.280 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a shipment of bananas. 49.84 kilograms of cocaine concealed in the refrigeration unit of a container. These are just two notable discoveries made by the police in the past six months in the Port of Antwerp. So far, a total of 43.431 kilograms of cocaine has been intercepted, along with 2.803 kilograms of heroin and 161 kilograms of MDMA.
For comparison, in the same period last year, 35.833 kilograms of cocaine were seized, which is less than the current amount. It should be noted that there were significant drug seizures in the port last autumn, leading to record numbers by the end of the year. In 2021, the half-year figure was higher, but that year saw exceptional drug seizures as part of the European operation SKY ECC.
Kilograms of Cocaine Seized Per Year
“The cocaine tsunami continues to arrive in Antwerp,” says Kristian Vanderwaeren, Head of Customs. “It just keeps going.” He fears that new records will be broken this year. “There are several factors working against us. There is a significant increase in production in Latin America, and there is a substantial increase in consumption in Europe. This combination makes it highly profitable to send cocaine from Latin America.”
It comes as no surprise that the top 5 countries of origin for the intercepted cocaine shipments in Antwerp are all in Latin America. Ecuador is in the lead (approximately 10.000 kilograms), followed by Panama (approximately 5.000 kilograms) and Brazil (approximately 3.500 kilograms).
Top 5 Countries of Origin
However, the Port of Antwerp is not the only place where drugs are intercepted. When we look at the cocaine seized elsewhere but destined for Antwerp, we find ourselves again in Latin America. For example, 31 shipments were intercepted in Ecuador, followed by Colombia with 14 shipments and Brazil with 10 shipments.
The most popular method of concealing drugs remains the so-called “rip-off” method, where the drugs are hidden in the container at the departing port and unloaded at the arrival port. Often neither the sender nor the recipient are aware that the container was used for drug transportation.
“The secure operation of the port terminals is essential.” (Vincent Van Peteghem, minister of finance)
To intensify the fight against drugs in the port, the project “100 percent scanning of high-risk containers” has been underway for some time. By the end of the year, five additional mobile scanners will be deployed, along with additional personnel. Today, an agreement was also signed between the government and several private partners to allow for the inspection of containers at the docks themselves. “We want to be much closer to the chain itself. We will continue to invest in equipment and personnel to prevent disruption to both security and the port,” said Minister of Finance Vincent Van Peteghem. “The secure operation of the port terminals is essential.”
“This is not just a battle in Antwerp, but worldwide.” (Vincent Van Peteghem, minister of finance)
This is not just a battle in Antwerp but worldwide. “The mafia will feel the systematic increase in scanning,” Vanderwaeren adds. “This is not just a battle in Antwerp but worldwide. We must eradicate this scourge from the port.” He has high expectations for the new scanners. The goal is to eventually scan all high-risk containers, although there is still a long way to go. “If we can catch 80 percent, I hope they will say “Antwerp, it’s too tricky, let’s not go there anymore.’ It may be naïve, but that what we aim for.”
