More cocaine washes ashore on North Sea beaches

Cocaine is increasingly being found on the beaches along the North Sea and the English Channel, according to a recent press release from Belgian customs officials. The rise is attributed to a trend of drop-offs, where large vessels jettison their drug cargo into the sea for smaller boats to later collect.

From 16 September to 15 October, Belgian customs led an international operation against maritime drug smuggling, known as Operation White Sea IV. During this operation, authorities seized a total of 930 kilograms of cocaine and nearly 5 tons of hashish. Four individuals were arrested in connection with the smuggling activities.

The operation spanned the European west coast, the Channel, the North Sea, and various seaports. Officers from twelve European countries participated under the auspices of Europol’s EMPACT platform (European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats). The operation employed a range of resources, including divers, helicopters, and numerous coast guard aircraft and vessels.

In just one month, this coordinated effort analysed more than 500 ships, with 73 vessels undergoing thorough inspections. While the primary focus was on so-called drop-offs, the operation also addressed other forms of drug smuggling, including transloading drugs onto other ships or concealing them within the hull of a vessel.

^{A police boat in te Belgian North Sea © BELGA PHOTO JAMES ARTHUR GEKIERE}