Rotterdam Arrests in Major Cocaine Smuggling Ring Via Antwerp Port

Belgian and Dutch law‑enforcement agencies intercepted a container shipped through the Port of Antwerp that contained more than 350 kg of cocaine hidden among metal scrap. The joint investigation traced the cargo to Rotterdam, where two men—a 41‑year‑old resident of Rotterdam and a 37‑year‑old from Almere—were arrested and placed under full restrictions pending trial.

The operation, led by the Dutch National Prosecutor’s Office and Belgian customs and federal police, uncovered the drug load after routine checks flagged the container. The seized cocaine is slated for destruction. Authorities say the Antwerp port remains a key entry point for cocaine trafficking into Europe, with criminal groups routinely using legitimate‑looking cargo to evade detection.