On July 17th, the World Customs Organization (WCO) published a new report: Infiltration of maritime cargo supply chains, Organized crime, cocaine and the internal conspirators.
The report’s findings are based on an in-depth analysis of 2,600 drug seizures world-wide, of which the WCO was aware through their Members’ reporting as well as open-source information. Some of the main conclusions include following:
- In at least 68% of the cases, some involvement from individuals working within the maritime cargo supply chain was reported;
- Shipping containers accounted for 85% of the seizures and 80% of the seized volumes of narcotics;
- Maritime cocaine flows are rerouting due to adaptations of transnational organised crime networks, resulting in increased smuggling activities through smaller ports in Europe
The report also outlines the four main methods organised crime groups are increasingly using for smuggling cocaine: compromising the structure of shipping containers, breaking into containers as they move through the supply chain, attaching drugs to a vessel’s hull, or at sea drops in the ocean. WCO also found a growing number of cases where GPS trackers were used for drug retrieval.
Although WCO stated that criminal networks’ adaptability constitutes a challenge, it was also noted that some trafficking methods such as floor concealments are dropping due to authorities’ successes in enforcement.
The report is available in English, French and Spanish.
