30 May (Lloyd's List) - THE growing problem of drug trafficking into Europe has prompted freight insurer TT Club to increase its efforts to raise awareness of the trade and combat its interference in cargo operations.
Recent months have seen an increase in criminal enterprises exploiting the complexity of European import trades to smuggle drugs. These included reports of narcotics in reefer containers in fruit deliveries to Antwerp and Rotterdam, and other incidents in Calais, Le Havre and Motril.
“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,” said TT Club managing director of loss prevention Mike Yarwood.
Some 110 tonnes of cocaine were seized at the port of Antwerp last year, with the city becoming the European hub for drug importation, he added.
“But the network of channels for the trade is widespread and few ports along the seaboard can turn a blind eye to the problem,” Yarwood said.
TT Club 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.
“Increasing awareness, particularly the role of European ports in drug smuggling is crucial to restricting this trade,” said BSI European analyst Erica Bressner. “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.”
Port authorities have implemented addition security measures to combat the trade, but smugglers have continued to diversify their methods and techniques. The large profits from the drug business were increasingly being used to bribe port employees, customs officials and police.
Yarwood recommends employee vetting and training, both in terms of motivating them to be vigilant and loyal but also in terms of maintaining secure processes of documentation and online communication.
“Identifying the more common origin points of contraband cargo, such as South America and North Africa, and rogue consignees and unexpected delivery points will help,” he said.
“We are dealing with global crime syndicates,” Yarwood said. “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.”
