'North Dutch ports vulnerable to cocaine imports'
August 27, 2023

Municipalities along the northern Dutch coast are concerned about an increase in the import of drugs in their ports. This is evident from a report by Nieuwsuur . Mayors fear that criminals will look for alternative routes now that controls in Antwerp, Rotterdam and Vlissingen are becoming increasingly strict.

Flushing
The most important ports in the north are Harlingen, Lauwersoog, Delfzijl and Eemshaven.

Vlissingen, more and more cocaine is being seized. The controls there are now tightening. Cocaine importers probably decided years ago to import more cocaine via Vlissingen (Flushing) when the controls became stricter in Rotterdam.

Increased
A spokesperson for the municipality of Het Hogeland, which includes Lauwersoog and Eemshaven, already suspects that criminal activity has increased.

Containers do not arrive in most northern ports, but there is very little monitoring of incoming shipping. It has been known for some time that Urk fishing vessels have brought in cocaine. Those fishing vessels picked up packages of cocaine from the North Sea.

Compressed cocaine blocks are found from time to time on the northern coasts, an indication that cocaine is sometimes brought ashore.

Sailing yachts and fishing vessels can enter and leave the ports of Harlingen and Lauwersoog without supervision.