drug finds
EU Commissioner warns against organized crime
Customs officers in the port of Antwerp looking for drugs. photo
© Dirk Waem/BELGA/dpa
Most recently, more cocaine was confiscated in the port of Antwerp than ever before. At the same time, drug-related crime is increasing dramatically. Now the responsible EU Commissioner has gotten an idea of the situation.
Against the background of increasing violence and drug finds at record levels, EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson has urgently warned of the danger posed by organized crime. “The threat to society from organized crime is just as great today as the threat of terrorism,” said the Swede on Tuesday during a visit to the port of Antwerp.
“We must fight them with the same energy, commitment and determination.” The violence resulting from drug trafficking has a serious impact on trust and social cohesion, for example.
Drug violence with bloody consequences
Johansson visited the port of Antwerp together with Belgian Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden. Belgium is one of the most important hubs for drugs in Europe. In the port of Antwerp, investigators seized 110 tons of cocaine last year, more than ever before. Also of great importance to drug traffickers is the nearby port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. 47 tons of cocaine were seized there last year. The investigators are aware that this is only a fraction of the actual amount. For Antwerp, the authorities are assuming a quantity that could be up to ten times as high.
At the same time, criminal networks are networked. Drug violence is rampant in many countries with bloody consequences. In Antwerp, for example, there are repeated explosions and shots are fired. An eleven-year-old girl died earlier this year. Last year, drug criminals tried to kidnap Justice Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne. In the Netherlands there have been attacks on, murders of and threats to politicians, journalists, lawyers and even Crown Princess Amalia. And in Sweden, 61 people were killed by gun violence last year.
Strengthen international cooperation
Johansson and Verlinden have now announced that they will be traveling to Colombia and Ecuador at the end of the month to expand cooperation with the authorities there. At the same time, Johansson announced new proposals for the fight against corruption in the EU for the end of April.
Verlinden welcomed the fact that European and international cooperation against drug trafficking should be intensified. “No country can fight organized crime alone,” said the politician. “The drug violence in our country has an international dimension.”