News item | 17-01-2024 | 09:30
In 2023, Customs seized almost 60,000 kilograms of cocaine. This is a significant increase compared to the previous year, when more than 51,000 kilograms of cocaine were seized. The largest quantities were found in the ports of Rotterdam and Vlissingen. The number of kilos of cocaine intercepted by Customs at the airports doubled.
State Secretary Aukje de Vries of Benefits and Customs: “The drug smugglers are ruthless and do not shy away from any means. That is why we must do everything we can to intercept the drugs. We are increasingly working together with entrepreneurs and other countries. It is good that Customs is stopping more and more drugs as a result. This way we hit the criminals where it hurts, in their perverse revenue model. This fight continues to require continued attention and investment.”
Cooperation with Belgium
The State Secretary announced the drug figures in Vlissingen, together with the Belgian Minister of Finance Vincent van Peteghem. In Belgium, 116,000 kilos were seized last year. That is also more than the year before, when 109,000 kilos were seized. Dutch and Belgian Customs work intensively together in their fight against drug smuggling. For example, the Dutch customs diving team is active in Antwerp and the countries work together in cooperation with Latin America. The customs services also work closely together when it comes to automatic image recognition during scans.
Smuggling through ports
Customs seized more than 140 shipments of cocaine at the ports last year. That is about the same as the year before. The average number of kilos per shipment has increased. Customs found the largest shipment of cocaine ever. This concerned a shipment of 8,000 kilos of cocaine, which was sent from Ecuador via Panama to Rotterdam. The most common location of drugs was the cooling engine of containers. Furthermore, customs officers regularly found drugs among the cargo or incorporated into the container construction.
In Rotterdam, Customs has started scanning more containers. This concerns an increase of 40% more scans compared to 2022. Customs also continues to innovate constantly in the ports to stay ahead of criminals, including the use of underwater drones, smart cameras and drones. For example, with the help of a drone, Customs managed to intercept drug smugglers on an underwater scooter.
Smuggling via air freight
There has also been a large increase in the number of kilos of cocaine found in air freight. In 2023, Customs intercepted almost 2,250 kilograms of cocaine at airports, compared to almost 1,300 kilograms in 2022. Customs is also working more intensively with the business community at airports. Including by exchanging information about drug shipments.
Cooperation with Latin America
Fewer drugs destined for the Netherlands were seized in countries in Latin America in the past year. A striking decrease in the number of seizures of drugs intended for the Netherlands is visible in Brazil. Dutch Customs has started working more intensively with Customs in Brazil in recent years. For example, a pilot was started last year in which scan images are exchanged. Cooperation has also been intensified with other countries, such as Customs in Ecuador, Panama and Costa Rica. Furthermore, Customs liaisons have been set up in various Latin American countries and Customs treaties have been concluded, including with Ecuador. This allows, for example, more information to be exchanged between Customs services.