Following the seizure of 855 kg of cocaine in Suriname that was destined for the Belgian port of Zeebruges, the arrest of two individuals diving in the Zeebruges waters at night and the seizure of 200kg of cocaine in autumn a ship sailing to England, the Mayor of Bruges announced that there will be more checks and controls at the Zeebruges port.
Customs officials in Rotterdam announced a seizure of 775 kg of cocaine as the result of three investigations and operational outcomes. The drugs were shipped from Colombia and Brazil.
Alcibiades Libreros, a senior Colombian prosecutor and regional chief of the prosecution’s organised crime unit, was shot dead in Cali. He was in charge of many investigations against the country’s leading organised crime groups. Despite several requests, personal security measures to protect him were denied.
The former Prime Minister Umaro Cissoko Embalo was elected president of Guinea Bissau.
The Irish gardaí and the British police are working together to dismantle the last active parts of the Kinahan cartel operating in both countries. New organised crime groups are emerging as they seek to take advantage of the void that is appearing.
Drug smuggling in Finland is on the rise. According to wastewater tests, cocaine use in Finland doubled during the 2012-2018 period. Yet, cocaine use remains relatively uncommon compared to other European levels. This is a worrying trend as drug smuggling can also pave the way for other illicit trafficking.
600 kg of pangolin scales and 200 red-railed parrots were seized in Douala, Cameroon, during the night of the 23/24 December 2019. The seizure was made within the framework of operation ‘HALCOMI’ (Halte au commerce illicite).
