IRELAND A GATEWAY TO EUROPE FOR DRUG SMUGGLERS
We’re facing ‘tsunami’ of cocaine
MILLIONS of euro worth of cocaine is being smuggled into Europe through Ireland, a leading law enforcement agency has warned.
The annual report by Europol says this country and the UK are amongst four main routes used by cartels to transport their drugs via air.
It had been previously thought that most of the cocaine in Europe was smuggled from Colombia and other South American countries to Europe via sea – but Europol’s serious and Organised Crime Threat Assessment for 2020 pinpoints air routes as a vital new supply route.
It warned: “Intra-eu trafficking of cocaine may also involve commercial flights, light aircraft and helicopters, railway, sea transport, and post and parcel services.
“Cocaine loads are often hidden in sophisticated concealed compartments in cars, trucks and other vehicles. These are also used to transport cash back to the distribution hubs.”
Sources said they could not discount cartels using private jets to smuggle large amounts of cocaine into Ireland for onward delivery to other European states, but it was most likely that they were using drug mules to bring smaller amounts on commercial flights from South America via third countries.
A source added: “I can think of a few times when there was intelligence about cocaine being flown in here in a decent scale.
“But I do not believe it is that common. Instead, I would suspect that individuals are getting on a plane in Colombia or Peru with cocaine in their luggage or swallowed in pellets.
“They would bring in a kilo or less at a time, but that is still worth €70,000.”
Last year, the EU’S antidrug unit MAOC-N – headed by former Garda Assistant Commissioner Michael O’sullivan – intercepted an aircraft flying from South America to Europe with tens of millions of euro worth of cocaine in its cargo hold.
Portugal-based Mr O’sullivan warned that the cocaine problem for Ireland and Europe would only get worse.
He said: “We are facing a tsunami of cocaine. There is a huge market for it in Europe.
“Last year, MAOC-N seized some 22 tonnes of cocaine. In the first three months of 2021, we have already seized 19 tonnes.”
In the first 3 months of 2021 we seized 19 tonnes MICHAEL O’SULLIVAN YESTERDAY