Specialist logistics insurer the TT Club is working to raise awareness of the increasingly sophisticated methods used by criminal gangs to smuggle illegal drugs through European ports.
The London-based mutual said it will commit significant resources to collate detailed reports, along with partner BSI Screen, of the geographical reach and the diverse gateways criminal gangs are using to supply the European market.
The move comes in response to a dramatic increase in the drug trade to Europe via the Atlantic seaboard.
According to figures from the TT Club 110 tonnes of cocaine were seized at the port of Antwerp last year.
In the last couple of months alone there have been reports of illegal drugs discovered in other European ports including Rotterdam, Calais, Le Havre, Motril, Lisbon and Oporto on trucks, containers and reefer containers.
“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 Mike Yarwood, managing director of loss prevention at the TT Club.
Erica Bressner, BSI’s European analyst, said raising awareness is critical to combatting the trade.
“Especially as indications show that smuggling at ports may be increasing for certain key narcotics, like cocaine,” he said.
“The control of the criminal syndicates is such that they have the ability to adapt their smuggling routes to evade authorities. This includes a diversification of smuggling routes to target non-traditional ports of entry where security measures are less intensive,” said Bressner.
Bribery, threats and violence have been used on customs and port officials and even the police to facilitate the trade.
The TT Club is calling for greater vigilance through employee vetting and training to spot potential drug smuggling.
“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,” Yarwood said.
“We urge all in our industry to be aware of the possibilities of drug importation and to take all steps they can to restrict this illicit trade.”
