Europe’s largest port, Rotterdam in the Netherlands, saw a significant decline in cocaine smuggling due to heightened security measures and improved international cooperation, Dutch authorities announced on Thursday.
Dutch customs and police reported seizing nearly 26 tonnes of cocaine last year, compared to 45.5 tonnes in 2023. However, seizures at the port of Vlissingen in the south of the country slightly increased from 11.3 tonnes to 12.6 tonnes. The total value of the drugs seized exceeded €917 million.
"For the third consecutive year, less cocaine has been found in the port of Rotterdam," said Regional Chief Prosecutor Mariette Bode.
Measures have been implemented to reduce the use of "extractors" – adolescents hired to retrieve cocaine shipments hidden in containers around the vast port.
Heightened security, including the use of drones and improved surveillance, "has made the port far less attractive for these extractors," Bode noted.
Peter van Buijtenen, Rotterdam’s chief customs officer, praised international cooperation, especially with South American countries where the cocaine originates.
He warned, however, that the significant drop in cocaine smuggling at Rotterdam also means "the port is being avoided" and new smuggling methods are being devised.
"There has been a notable increase in small quantities of illegal drugs in the port of Rotterdam," Bode explained. "One reason could be that criminals are now spreading the risk."
