The European Comission (EC) launched this Wednesday the European Ports Alliance to fight organized crime and drug trafficking, an issue of great concern for the European Union (EU) due to the record seizures in recent years, especially of cocaine.
This entry of drugs has also been accompanied by the increase in extreme violence, corruption and intimidation by the criminal networks responsible for drug trafficking, the Commission indicated in a statement.
The European Commissioner for the Interior, Ylva Johanssonsaid during the presentation that most of the drugs that enter the EU do so through maritime routes, that cooperation between national and European authorities is “vital” and that to combat these criminal organizations “you have to build a network”.
The European Ports Alliance is a public-private partnership that aims, first of all, to mobilize the customs community against drug trafficking to improve controls, taking into account that 70% of drug seizures made by customs take place in ports. .
In addition, it aims to reinforce police operations in ports and against criminal organizations, with the support of Europol, Eurojust, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office and through specific actions within a European platform.
It also aspires to establish an association that helps against drug smuggling to raise awareness among different actors and support port authorities and private shipping companies.
Cocaine seizures in the EU are at record levels, with more than 300 tonnes seized annually for years.
In Belgium alone, authorities seized 121 tons of cocaine in the port of Antwerp-Bruges in 2023, a 10% increase over the previous year.
The measure announced today is part of the EU’s ‘roadmap’ to combat the problem and responds to the commitment of EC President Ursula von der Leyen to act against drug smuggling and criminal infiltration in ports. Europeans.
Brussels believes that public and private port managers, from port authorities to terminal operators and shipping and logistics companies, play a crucial role in protecting ports and EU security.
According to ECthis partnership “will strengthen the resilience of ports and intensify the fight against drug trafficking and criminal infiltration.”
It will focus, in particular, “in identifying vulnerabilities, sharing best practices and finding practical solutions to strengthen port security”, he assured.
It will address intimidation, corruption and criminal infiltration in ports, through the implementation of international security standards and the EU and cooperation between law enforcement and customs with public and private operators.
This Wednesday’s ceremony brought together members of the Commission, as well as those from Belgium (current presidency of the EU Council) and the Interior Ministers of the countries of the EU.
Also attending were port authorities, law enforcement agencies, EU such as Europol and customs and police representatives.
The association will meet annually to identify outstanding challenges, establish strategic priorities and exchange information on progress made.
Source: Gestion
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