Record 100 tonnes of cocaine seized in Port of Antwerp last year
Less cocaine seized in Rotterdam but more was found in Antwerp
Tuesday, January 10, 2023
Last year, Belgian customs intercepted just under 110 tonnes of cocaine in the Port of Antwerp, a new record, as it marks the first time the 100-tonne mark has been passed. The port, together with the Dutch equivalent in Rotterdam, is preferred by international drug trafficking and related criminal organisations due to its central location in north-western Europe, as well as its long tradition with transport lines from South America. For international drug criminals, Antwerp and Rotterdam are two gateways to mainland Europe. However, in Rotterdam, the quantity of cocaine seized did decrease: from 70 tonnes in 2021 to around 50 tonnes in 2022. (See also: Young girl (11) dies in drug-related shooting in Antwerp | Less cocaine seized in Rotterdam but more was found in Antwerp)
