Rotterdam, Hub of Drug Trafficking

Whether it’s cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy or other synthetic drugs, the Netherlands is confirming its position as the hub of drug trafficking in Europe.

Between March 1 and April 30, the HARC (Hit and Run Cargo Team) made 25 cocaine seizures, totalling 5.4 tonnes.

The HARC team is a partnership between Customs, the FIOD, the Port Police and the Rotterdam Public Prosecution Service. The team is responsible for investigating and prosecuting major subversion investigations in and around the Port of Rotterdam.

For the whole of 2022, drug seizures totalled 46.7 tonnes.

Since the beginning of the year, the trends observed in 2022 seem to have been confirmed. Seizures of more than 500 kg remain the most frequent, mainly in containers of fresh or dried fruit. But the increase in seizures of less than 50 kg is also confirmed.