Belgium: Record quantities of cocaine smuggling in 2023

In 2023 Belgium experienced another record year in terms of thwarting the smuggling of cocaine by its ports, which unfortunately made it an epicentre of illegal trafficking originating in Central and South America.

In the port of Flushing in the Netherlands, the Belgian authorities organised a press conference together with Dutch colleagues to highlight their efforts while calling for increased coordination in the fight against organised crime and extensive smuggling operations.

Data published by Belgian finance minister Vince Van Peteghem showed an increase of just over 5% in the amount of cocaine confiscated by the authorities in Antwerp in 2023, which highlights the increased efforts of national customs. According to these data, 116 tonnes of cocaine were thwarted in Antwerp compared to 110 tonnes in 2022. The Minister noted that this was an increase of 50 tonnes since the start of public reports which have been conducted since 2020. Additionally, another five tonnes were intercepted at the neighbouring Belgian port of Zeebrugge in 2023.

Van Peteghem, citing extraordinary circumstances, announced the continuation of efforts to increase detention and cooperation with the authorities of neighbouring countries. "The fight against international drug trafficking requires our customs services to have much knowledge and energy," said the minister during the briefing.

However, he pointed out that success in thwarting the smuggling of such quantities of cocaine is evidence of the efficiency of federal government investment in people and resources for the customs office. He mentioned close cooperation in cross-border operations and efforts in cooperation with the police. On January 17, police conducted extensive checks in Brussels and Antwerp, resulting in 22 arrests, including three police officers involved in drug trafficking. Cash, cars and weapons were also taken over. The police identify the activities of organized criminal groups similar to the one that was broken up a few days ago as the main cause of increasing violence in cities.

Belgium points to Colombia, Ecuador and Panama as the main sources of smuggling operations, and the Minister stated that the same three countries would continue to dominate smuggling operations in 2023.

While Antwerp has become the main gateway for cartels smuggling cocaine into the European continent, this problem is common. Officials of the European Union point to Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain, stating that three quarters of all seizures in 2021 took place in the ports of these three countries. According to the latest EU data, a total of 303 tonnes of drugs were confiscated in 2021. The Netherlands reported 59 tonnes of seizures in 2023, of which nearly 27 tonnes came from Ecuador.

On the other hand, port officials stress that one of the biggest challenges is to trade perishable goods, which has become the preferred place for smugglers. They point to the hasty handling of refrigerated containers by the port and the fact that they have become the main site of drug trafficking. Many of the largest seizures of drugs in Europe in recent years have been given in banana cartons.

Belgium has recently taken office in the EU Council and is using this role to launch an ambitious plan to step up efforts both in ports and in cooperation with the governments of the countries of Central and South America. The country intends to use the European Commission's comprehensive roadmap, launched last October, to step up efforts to combat drug trafficking and criminal networks in European ports.

Written by Mariusz Dasiewicz