- The global cargo supply chain has been heavily infiltrated by illegal drugs, according to a recent World Customs Organization report
- Over two-thirds of detected drug shipments were found to have the involvement of persons directly employed within the maritime cargo supply chain
- More than 2,600 global drug seizures, totaling 1,347 tons, found that the role of ‘internal conspirators’ are providing an underrecognized, but essential, link in the global drugs trade
- Internal conspirators massively target shipping containers, accounting for 85% of seizure events and 80% of seized narcotics by volume
The global cargo supply chain has been heavily infiltrated by illicit drugs, according to a recent World Customs Organization (WCO) report.
Over two-thirds of detected drug shipments were found to have the involvement of persons directly employed within the maritime cargo supply chain, WCO said in a statement.
An analysis recently released by the WCO of more than 2,600 global drug seizures, totaling 1,347 tons, found that the role of ‘internal conspirators’ – those working directly with criminal gangs either under duress or for profit – provide an underrecognized, but essential, link in the global drugs trade, especially for cocaine.
While the illicit use of global cargo supply chains for the distribution of the illicit drug is no secret, the WCO report focused on the infiltration of maritime cargo supply chains as the main conduit of cocaine and the often under-appreciated role of internal conspirators.
An in-depth analysis of global drug seizures by the WCO determined the following:
- Sixty eight percent of detections were assessed to have had some level of involvement from an internal conspirator employed within the maritime cargo supply chain.
- Internal conspirators massively target shipping containers, accounting for 85% of seizure events and 80% of seized narcotics by volume.
- Considerable shifts in maritime cocaine flows over the course of 2023 and 2024 as global organized crime networks adapted, shifting more of their smuggling efforts into smaller ports in other parts of Europe.
- “Illegitimate actors are undermining our collective efforts with industry to promote a system of trade that is safe, secure and free flowing. The sheer quantities of illicit narcotics being detected around the globe clearly demonstrate that those responsible are well-resourced, skilled and persistent,” said WCO Secretary General Ian Saunders.
They deserve to receive responses of equal focus and dedication, he added, “As threats continue to evolve and become more sophisticated, our approaches to addressing them must do so as well.”
Organized crime groups increasingly leverage internal conspirators using four main methods to smuggle cocaine: compromising the structure of shipping containers; breaking into containers as they move through the supply chain; attaching drugs to a vessel’s hull; or at sea drops in the ocean.
WCO’s analysis found that gangs are increasingly embedding smaller cocaine loads directly into container structures, particularly void spaces in refrigerated containers, with retrieval often occurring at unsecured empty container yards, post-border clearance.
This method is fast, discreet, and usually supported by internal conspirators with access to logistics systems, enabling tamper-free concealment. Organized crime groups readily exploit easy access points across the supply chain.
WCO’s analysis found 627 cases recorded and growing use of GPS trackers for retrieval.
The report also found evolving tactics with deep concealments in container ceilings, where seizures jumped from 0.9 tons in 2023 to 3.4 tons in 2024. However, floor concealments saw a 40% drop, with authorities believing enforcement successes and logistical challenges account for the change.
The report showed organized crime’s ability to infiltrate and exploit multiple supply chain vulnerabilities across various supply chain nodes, including many of the world’s maritime ports and terminals.
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