Europol warns of sophisticated cocaine smuggling routes into Europe

Tuesday 27 January 2026 - 11:20

By: Sahili Aya

Europol warns of sophisticated cocaine smuggling routes into Europe

Europol has warned that cocaine trafficking into Europe has reached record levels, with criminal networks increasingly relying on advanced technology and sophisticated concealment techniques. According to a report released Tuesday by the EU police agency, drug gangs are diversifying their routes and methods to avoid detection.

Instead of focusing primarily on major ports such as Antwerp and Rotterdam, traffickers are now using semi-submersible vessels, high-speed boats, drones and transfers at sea. Europol said cocaine is often hidden in industrial equipment, machinery or attached underwater to ship hulls, making detection extremely difficult.

The report also highlights the use of so-called “carrier materials,” where cocaine is chemically concealed within food products, plastics or textiles. These methods significantly reduce the effectiveness of scanners, sniffer dogs and forensic testing.

Traffickers are increasingly routing shipments through West Africa, transferring the drugs at sea before transporting them to mainland Europe or the Canary Islands. From there, speedboats are used to move the cocaine to southern Spain and onward across the European Union.

Europol Director Catherine De Bolle stressed the importance of international cooperation, noting that criminal networks are becoming more flexible and technologically advanced in their efforts to evade law enforcement.