Europe Grapples with Surge of Cocaine Trafficking via Narco-Submarines
LISBON, Portugal — European law enforcement agencies are confronting a daunting challenge as sophisticated narco-submarines ferry massive shipments of cocaine across the Atlantic, often evading detection and interception. Authorities warn that only a small fraction—between 5 and 10 percent—of these vessels are being stopped, leaving the continent effectively “flooded” with illicit drugs.
Artur Vaz, director of the National Unit for Combating Drug Trafficking at Portugal’s Judiciary Police, described the situation as a crisis. “Europe is literally being flooded with cocaine,” Vaz told reporters, emphasizing the lucrative incentives driving criminal organizations to exploit maritime routes from Latin America. The narcotics, often acquired at relatively low cost in source countries, yield substantial profits once they reach European markets.
These shipments arrive via various means, including cargo ships and high-speed boats, but the emergence of low-budget, semi-submersible vessels—commonly referred to as “narco-subs”—has complicated interdiction efforts. These craft, designed to ride mostly submerged with only their tops visible, are frequently painted in muted blues and grays to blend with the ocean’s surface and evade radar and visual surveillance.
Portuguese authorities achieved a significant breakthrough this fall by intercepting a narco-sub in the mid-Atlantic carrying 1.7 metric tons of cocaine. Despite this success, experts acknowledge that many such vessels continue to slip through maritime patrols. Sam Woolston, an investigative journalist based in Honduras specializing in organized crime, noted, “The interdiction rates for these subs is between 10%, roughly, and maybe as low as 5%. Even if one or two get nabbed by the authorities, it’s not enough to dissuade them.”
European law enforcement agencies generally prioritize capturing these vessels and detaining their crews for intelligence gathering rather than destroying the boats outright—a tactic more aggressively employed by the United States. The aim is to extract information about drug kingpins, trafficking networks, and distribution channels. However, officials concede that current resources and operational capacities are insufficient.
“We must be more muscular — that is, with greater means and a greater capacity for intervention,” Vaz asserted, adding that any expansion of enforcement must remain within legal frameworks. The growing sophistication of narco-submarine technology has surprised many; Derek Maltz, former acting chief of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, described it as “mind-boggling.”
Efforts to combat maritime drug trafficking involve coordination among multiple agencies, including the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol), which facilitates intelligence sharing across borders. Additionally, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has intensified operations targeting drug-smuggling vessels, often collaborating with European partners to disrupt transatlantic narcotics flows.
According to data from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, maritime routes remain a favored method for large-scale cocaine shipments due to the difficulty of detection and the high volume that vessels can carry. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has also highlighted the increasing use of semi-submersibles in global drug trafficking, underscoring the need for enhanced maritime surveillance and interdiction capabilities.
As European authorities grapple with this influx, the broader implications for public health and security remain profound. The persistent flow of cocaine threatens to exacerbate addiction crises and fuel organized crime across the continent. While interdiction successes offer some hope, experts warn that without significant investment and international cooperation, the narco-submarine threat will continue to challenge law enforcement efforts for years to come.
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