International port infrastructure faces a growing threat due to drug trafficking, which uses maritime routes and containers to evade security controls and transport large quantities of drugs to markets in Europe and the United States. Through a detailed analysis of various sources and recent studies, this article examines the methods, routes, and challenges posed by transnational criminal organizations in key ports across Latin America and Europe. With input from security and logistics specialists, we explore the scale of this issue and possible preventive measures.
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In our role as consultants, we have worked with logistics companies whose operations end at ports in Chile, particularly in ValparaÃso and San Antonio. This connection arises from a recurring and concerning problem: the theft or unexplained loss of containers or parts of the cargo, often with unconventional products, such as minerals that have low commercial demand in the country and are difficult to offload.
Our research has focused on exploring whether these containers might be used for drug trafficking to Europe. One hypothesis under analysis is that falsified customs documents are used to send illicit shipments to destinations like Germany and the Netherlands, where the drug consumption crisis is an alarming reality. From our consultancy’s perspective, it is crucial that our clients—companies—can prevent this issue from affecting them, not only to avoid financial losses but also to protect their image and reputation. Our aim in investigating this phenomenon is not to address the crime itself but to safeguard the interests of the companies we work with, helping them tackle the challenges posed by drug trafficking in the port system.
The Problem of Drug Trafficking in International Critical Port Infrastructure
Drug trafficking has found international ports to be strategic points for its operations. Maritime routes offer logistical advantages and allow large quantities of narcotics, especially cocaine, to be transported to high-demand markets in Europe and the United States. According to data from the International Center for Research and Analysis against Maritime and River Narcotics Trafficking (CMCON), drug seizures in containers have steadily increased at major European ports, with up to a 67% rise over the past five years, particularly in key ports like Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Hamburg (CMCON, 2024).
Key Routes and Countries of Origin
Most narcotics seized in Europe originate in Latin America, primarily from countries like Mexico, Colombia, Peru, and, to a lesser extent, Chile. These strategic routes depart from secondary ports and, according to specialized sources, some drugs reach Europe through intermediate destinations like the Strait of Gibraltar, also utilizing strategic points in Africa and Asia to facilitate traffic to Europe. Transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) have strengthened their presence in major Latin American ports, taking advantage of port infrastructure and, in some cases, the collaboration of infiltrated personnel who provide access to drug-laden shipments disguised among export products.
Concealment Methods and Cyber Threats
Drug trafficking organizations use advanced concealment methods and increasingly rely on cyber techniques to evade port security controls. They use containers to camouflage drugs among legal goods and sometimes falsify customs documents so these shipments go unnoticed. In addition, cyberattacks enable them to manipulate container identification codes or PINs, giving criminals the ability to redirect shipments to unauthorized destinations or even extract them without detection. These attacks can include tampering with digital tracking systems so that the container's route is altered in real time without raising suspicion among authorities. This combination of document falsification and targeted cyberattacks severely compromises port operations' security and facilitates the flow of illicit shipments to international markets (CMCON, 2024; OAS, 2022; Europol, 2023).
Implications for the Supply Chain and International Security
The infiltration of drug trafficking in ports affects not only regulatory authorities and exporting companies; it also has profound implications for the global supply chain. Operating costs for ports have risen significantly due to the need for advanced security measures and additional controls. Similarly, the risk of cargo losses and thefts has raised insurance premiums for exporters and shipping companies, increasing the total cost of maritime transport (Europol, 2023). Furthermore, criminal organizations manipulate logistics systems, causing delivery delays and damaging the reputation of ports as safe transit points. This manipulation and the constant risk of interruptions make ports critical vulnerability points, driving an increasing demand for investments in security technology and the development of stricter protocols to protect the supply chain (OAS, 2023; CMCON, 2024).
Drug trafficking in international ports presents a crucial challenge to global security as it compromises both port facilities and the global supply chain. To counter this threat, ports are considering implementing advanced technological controls, including scanners and X-ray equipment, both highly specialized and valuable. However, these controls also represent a significant increase in operational costs for exporting companies, which will have to absorb some of the expenses for advanced security measures when using port facilities.
In this context, a key recommendation for companies is to invest in security and, together with specialized consultancies, create solid strategies that protect their interests and strengthen internal controls within their own areas of action. It is essential that companies define specific security protocols to avoid situations that could compromise their operations, paying particular attention to the types of cargo and circumstances in which other shipments have been affected during transit to Europe. This includes assessing the risks associated with each shipment and carefully analyzing the routes and products that may be subject to manipulation at international ports.
Additionally, it is essential for companies to adopt a proactive approach to managing business threats, both externally and internally. Conducting regular risk assessments with professionalism and dedication will allow for the identification and mitigation of potential vulnerabilities before they become major issues.
Ultimately, cooperation between governments and the private sector is essential for these measures to have a positive impact. Integrated strategies are needed, including ongoing staff training, the implementation of advanced monitoring systems, and cybersecurity protocols. Through a collaborative approach, it is possible to reduce vulnerabilities at ports and safeguard both the integrity of exports and the reputation of companies that rely on these systems for their commercial operations.
- CMCON. (2024). Evaluación situacional de la dinámica del narcotráfico marÃtimo. Cartagena: Centro Internacional de Investigación y Análisis contra el Narcotráfico MarÃtimo y Fluvial.
- DIRECTEMAR. (2023). Informe sobre seguridad y amenazas en los puertos chilenos.
Dirección General del Territorio MarÃtimo y Marina Mercante.
EUROPOL. (2023). Tráfico de estupefacientes en el sistema portuario europeo: Riesgos y vulnerabilidades. The Hague: EUROPOL.
Organización de los Estados Americanos (OEA). (2022). Informe anual sobre el narcotráfico en América Latina y el Caribe. Washington D.C.: OEA.