The EU has a new anti-drug plan


A senior shipping industry executive is warning that drug trafficking gangs have infiltrated shipping supply chains to an “extreme” extent.

European authorities have had a busy few years, with annual drug seizures consistently breaking new records. But criminal organisations often stay a step ahead:

So what’s Europe doing? In its latest ‘roadmap’, Brussels introduces the European Ports Alliance, an EU-wide scheme focussed on:

  1. Customs – authorities now inspect less than 10% of all cargo
  2. Policing – there’s not enough police-customs coordination, and
  3. Companies – there’s not enough coordination between shipping firms and law enforcement, either.

Intrigue’s take: Most drugs entering Europe essentially hitch a ride on commercial cargo ships, which means any policy aimed at illicit trade will end up impacting lawful trade too.

So that’s really what this latest plan is about: it’s not realistic to inspect every container; better targeting is key, and that means better coordination.

Also worth noting:

Latest Author Articles
India prepares to build a third aircraft carrier

India is set to add a third aircraft carrier worth $5B to its fleet, with its Defense Acquisition Council likely to clear the deal on Friday, according to Bloomberg.

29 November, 2023
North Korea scraps key military pact with the South

Following the launch of North Korea’s first spy satellite on Tuesday night, and South Korea’s resumption of border surveillance in response, the North scrapped a key military pact between the two neighbours yesterday (Thursday).

24 November, 2023
Did India try to assassinate a US citizen on US soil?

The US has thwarted a plot to assassinate a Sikh activist on American soil, and issued a warning to India over its possible involvement, according to the Financial Times.

23 November, 2023
Taiwan’s main opposition parties unite

The two main Taiwanese opposition parties will tomorrow announce who will lead their joint ticket to contest January’s election.

17 November, 2023