Europol Warns: Cocaine Smuggling to Europe Hits Record Levels

European Cocaine Crisis Reaches Unprecedented Scale

Europe is facing a cocaine crisis of historic proportions, according to a stark new warning from Europol. The European Union's law enforcement agency has revealed that cocaine smuggling into the continent has reached 'unprecedented levels,' driven by soaring production in Latin America and increasing demand across European nations. 'The developments are moving so fast that traditional detection and control systems are lagging behind,' states the Europol report, which paints a concerning picture of increasingly sophisticated criminal networks outpacing authorities.

Sophisticated Smuggling Methods Evolve Rapidly

Drug traffickers are employing remarkably advanced technologies and methods that challenge traditional law enforcement approaches. The most alarming development is the increasing use of semi-submersible vessels - often called 'narco-subs' - that can travel just below the water's surface across vast ocean distances. Just yesterday, Portuguese authorities made a record-breaking seizure of nearly 9 tons of cocaine from such a vessel off the Azores archipelago, marking Portugal's largest-ever cocaine bust. 'This operation shows both the scale of the problem and the need for international cooperation,' said a Portuguese police spokesperson.

Beyond submarines, criminals are using drones, helium balloons, and encrypted communication systems to coordinate shipments. Perhaps most concerning are the concealment techniques that make detection nearly impossible with standard equipment. Cocaine is now being hidden in industrial machinery, chemically processed into plastic products, mixed with food items, and even attached to ship hulls below the waterline in waterproof packages that require professional divers to detect.

Shifting Routes and Smaller Ports

Major European ports like Antwerp, Rotterdam, and Hamburg - once primary entry points - are seeing decreased traffic as criminals adapt to increased security measures. Instead, traffickers are increasingly using high-seas transfers where large 'mother ships' from Latin America transfer cargo to smaller vessels that then head toward smaller, less-monitored European ports or coastal areas. 'We're seeing a clear shift toward smaller harbors and coastal zones where surveillance is less intensive,' explains Europol Director Catherine De Bolle in the report.

This strategic adaptation has created new challenges for law enforcement agencies that must now monitor thousands of kilometers of coastline and numerous smaller ports. The report specifically mentions increased activity around West Africa, where cocaine is transferred before making the final journey to Europe via the Canary Islands and southern Spanish coast.

Record Production Meets Growing Demand

The surge in smuggling corresponds with record cocaine production in Latin America, particularly in Colombia, which accounts for approximately 61% of global cultivation according to recent statistics. Simultaneously, cocaine consumption in Europe continues to rise, with the drug now being the second most commonly used illicit substance after cannabis across the continent. The European Drug Report 2025 confirms unprecedented availability driving significant health and social harms.

Call for Coordinated International Response

Europol's report emphasizes that no single country can combat this transnational threat alone. 'A coordinated, intelligence-based approach is needed,' the agency stresses, calling for enhanced real-time data sharing between European nations and international partners including the United States and United Kingdom. The Portuguese seizure that involved cooperation with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and UK National Crime Agency serves as a model for such collaboration.

Looking ahead, Europol warns that the situation may worsen as criminals continue to innovate. The agency anticipates increased use of unmanned submarines, autonomous vessels, and more sophisticated drone technology. To counter these developments, Europol recommends focusing surveillance efforts on smaller harbors, coastal zones, and open-sea corridors while investing in advanced detection technologies that can keep pace with criminal innovation.

The stakes are high - with nearly 9 tons seized in a single operation representing just a fraction of what likely gets through, European authorities face a daunting challenge in protecting their borders from this flood of illicit substances.