https://nltimes.nl/2025/03/29/cocai...ars-new-tactics-bypass-detection-systems

Cocaine smuggling in Netherlands soars as new tactics bypass detection systems
Criminal groups are increasingly using sophisticated methods to smuggle cocaine into Europe, with up to 50 percent of the cocaine entering the continent hidden in materials like cardboard, concrete, and textiles, De Telegraaf reports. These methods make detection extremely difficult, according to Martin van Nes, national cocaine officer for the Dutch Public Prosecution Service. “Scanners in ports can’t detect it, sniffer dogs can’t smell it, and some on-site tests fail,” he told De Telegraaf.

As major European ports like Rotterdam and Antwerp face stricter controls, traffickers are turning to alternative routes through West Africa, Portugal, and Spain. This shift highlights how quickly criminal networks adapt. “Authorities may take years to improve port security, but criminals adjust in minutes,” Van Nes added.

The rise of “washed cocaine,” which is hidden in materials like concrete, also poses new challenges for authorities. The drug is processed in such a way that it’s virtually undetectable by traditional methods.

To address this growing threat, judicial officials from Latin America, Europe, and West Africa are meeting in Amsterdam. Their goal is to share intelligence and strategies to disrupt trafficking and dismantle criminal networks. Peter Huttenhuis, national officer overseeing criminal financial flows, emphasized that “every country has a piece of the puzzle,” and only through collaboration can they effectively fight the global drug trade.

The Netherlands plays a key role in the international drug market. Huttenhuis pointed out that in 2018, synthetic drug trafficking in the country was worth 19 billion euros—more than the export value of cheese and tulips. As traffickers adapt to tighter controls in major ports, they are increasingly using other European hubs, demonstrating the rapid adjustments of criminal groups.

The price of cocaine has dropped significantly in recent months, signaling an oversupply. The wholesale cost of a kilogram fell from 29,000 euros in September 2024 to around 17,000 euros today. Van Nes noted, “This is a clear sign that there is a huge amount of cocaine available, and it’s deeply concerning.”

The financial side of drug trafficking is evolving as criminals increasingly use underground banking systems and cryptocurrencies, particularly stablecoins tied to the U.S. dollar. Huttenhuis reported monitoring 20 to 30 key individuals involved in these operations, many of whom are Dutch nationals with Pakistani or Indian backgrounds.

Traditional, hierarchical criminal organizations are being replaced by more flexible networks. Criminals are now collaborating as freelancers and sometimes using corrupt port employees to facilitate their operations.