Liner carriers vow to fight narcotics trafficking

The container shipping industry is fed up with being used for drug trafficking.

Representatives of shipping companies and Customs authorities from across the globe met recently to discuss ways to step up the fight against drug trafficking.

At a conference organized by the World Shipping Council (WSC) and the Container Control Programme (CCP), a joint initiative between the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the World Customs Organization (WCO), Customs officials and the liner industry met to find ways to improve communications with an eye to reducing drug smuggling.

“A scourge”

“Narcotics are a scourge for societies across the globe, destroying lives, families and communities. Liner carriers will not tolerate having their services abused by criminals, and WSC is committed to supporting the Customs community with insight into ocean liner industry operations, providing open communications and exchanging information to combat drug traffickers,” said John Butler, president and CEO of the World Shipping Council.

According to the UNODC 2021 World Drug Report, around 275 million people worldwide had used drugs in the last year, while over 36 million people suffered from drug use disorders. The resilience of drug markets during the pandemic has once again demonstrated traffickers’ ability to adapt quickly to changed environments and circumstances, with recent developments including increasingly large shipments of illicit drugs, as well as a rise in the frequency with which overland and waterway routes are being used for trafficking.

Cocaine in banana boat

For example, this week police in Portugal said they found just over eight tonnes of cocaine concealed inside banana shipments from Colombia. The cocaine was hidden in the hold of three cargo ships that made regular Atlantic crossings, and the cocaine was destined for several European countries, according to police. This was one of the largest drug seizures in Portugal the police noted.

Customs authorities of Ecuador, Panama, Belgium, Netherlands, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Malta, Turkey, India, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States presented their challenges and successes, sharing information on drug traffickers’ ability to abuse the ocean liner link in the supply chain and the tactics they employ.

WSC member carriers provided insights into the everyday operations of the ocean liner industry and the strategies and procedures employed to prevent crime, as well as opening lines of communication to build relationships with Customs authorities.

Greater transparency

Conference participants highlighted the need for greater transparency of information on container shipment data, the need for cross-training efforts between Customs authorities and liner carriers, and the need to identify and remove insider threats.

“The UNODC and the WCO look forward to working with the WSC and its member shipping lines on training and awareness-raising activities. We need to sensitize each other to understand how we can work together for the benefit of us all, and increase the likelihood of detecting illegal shipments, while at the same time facilitating legal trade,” said Norbert Steilen, WCO CCP senior coordinator.

This story included a file from The Associated Press (APR).