# Cocaine smuggling interceptions in European ports

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/cocaine-smuggling-interceptions-in-european-ports
> Updated: 2026-09-10T21:05:21.000Z. Sources: 20. Developments: 2.

Law enforcement authorities in Europe have conducted significant cocaine seizures at major ports, targeting organized smuggling operations.

In the Port of Rotterdam, a sting operation led by the HARC team intercepted 23 kilograms of cocaine. The drugs were originally discovered in Sint Maarten within a container from Curaçao. After investigators replaced the narcotics with dummy packages, surveillance footage identified two men, aged 28 and 39, who were seconded to the terminal. Prosecutors have indicated that digital evidence, including chat messages, links the suspects to methods for hiding cocaine in empty containers.

In a separate large-scale operation, French customs officials at the port of Dunkirk seized approximately 3.9 tonnes of cocaine, valued at roughly 225 million euros. The shipment was concealed within bags of recycled plastic waste in a container arriving from Ghana, intended for the port of Antwerp. This seizure led to the arrest of a suspect in Dordrecht, Netherlands, who is believed to be involved in preparing further drug imports. While authorities have not officially confirmed it, the shipment may be linked to the criminal network of Jos Leijdekkers.

## Claims

- The seized cocaine has an estimated market value of approximately 225 million euros. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- The drugs were hidden in 167 packages among bags of recycled plastic waste in a container from Ghana. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- French customs officials discovered nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine at the port of Dunkirk. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- The entire shipment of seized drugs has been destroyed. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The container was initially intended for transport to Belgium or the port of Antwerp. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- A man was arrested in Dordrecht for suspected involvement in smuggling the cocaine. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The arrested man is also suspected of preparing to import other drug shipments into the Netherlands this year. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-10: Dunkirk port seizure: 3.9 tonnes of cocaine intercepted

French customs seized 3.9 tonnes of cocaine worth €225 million in Dunkirk. The shipment from Ghana was hidden in plastic waste and was destined for Belgium. A man was arrested in Dordrecht, Netherlands.

18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dordrecht-man-arrested-in-225-million-cocaine-smuggling-case

### 2026-09-06: Port of Rotterdam: Sting operation intercepts 23kg of cocaine

Dutch authorities used a dummy-package sting operation in the Port of Rotterdam to intercept 23kg of cocaine and identify two suspects involved in the smuggling operation.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/port-of-rotterdam-sting-operation-intercepts-23kg-of-cocaine

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Cite as: Cocaine smuggling interceptions in European ports. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/cocaine-smuggling-interceptions-in-european-ports