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A PROMINENT industry executive has issued a stark warning about the extensive infiltration of drug gangs into shipping supply chains, reports London's Financial Times.
The European Commission has responded by unveiling plans to combat the influx of illegal drugs into European ports.
Cocaine shipments to the European Union (EU) have significantly increased in recent years, surging to 303 tonnes in 2021, as reported by the EU's drugs monitoring agency, EMCDDA.
Criminal syndicates are orchestrating the movement of drugs through global shipping routes.
Consequently, shipping companies are entangled with what has been described as some of the most dangerous people in the world.
APM Terminals CEO Keith Svendsen emphasised that these criminal elements are infiltrating the entire supply chain, extending beyond the shipping and port sectors.
In response, the European Commission is set to propose greater coordination among European ports, governments and private entities.
The proposal includes the establishment of a European Ports Alliance, aiming to introduce standard risk criteria and priorities for customs controls at the EU level.
The commission will also call on member states to enforce existing port security regulations.
This involves providing ports and shipping companies with the tools to screen and vet their employees to prevent corruption by criminal networks.
Belgium's port city of Antwerp is identified as the primary cocaine trafficking hub in Europe, with customs authorities seizing a record 110 tonnes in 2022.
https://www.shippingazette.com/menu.asp?encode=eng
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