Source: Frontex
Frontex co-led a large-scale international operation targeting maritime drug smuggling. The action was run by Belgian Customs from 16 September to 15 October 2024 under the Cannabis, Cocaine, and Heroin EMPACT priority.
The operation focused on combating cocaine smuggling via sea from Latin America to European countries, monitoring and inspecting vessels to detect cocaine smuggled via methods like drop-off/handover at sea, underwater attachment, and rip-on at sea.
It involved 12 European countries, the USA, Europol, and MAOC (N). It led to impressive results: seizing 930 kg of cocaine and 4,950 kg of hashish, as well as 4 arrests. Of the 525 ships analysed, 73 were checked.
Frontex provided technical and operational support with the deployment of an underwater drone, vessel trackers, analysts and Cross Border Crime Detection Officers to assist with rummaging and control inspections. Aerial surveillance was conducted jointly by Belgium and Frontex with daily flights, contributing to the operation’s success.
Participants
Spain, Portugal, France, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Poland, Europol, The Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre (Narcotics), the US and liaison officers in Latin America
About EMPACT
The European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT) tackles the most important threats posed by organised and serious international crime affecting the EU. EMPACT strengthens intelligence, strategic and operational cooperation between national authorities, EU institutions and bodies, and international partners.