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European agency advocates using military force to stop maritime 'cocaine highway' - report

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Documents & data Context piece
  • Europe's anti-drug trafficking agency has urged countries to permit the use of military force, including disabling tactics and shooting, during maritime pursuits.
  • This call follows a "tsunami of cocaine" hitting Europe and a recent operation where a French Navy sniper disabled a smuggling vessel by shooting its engines.
  • Cartels are increasingly using high-speed "go-fast" boats to transport cocaine into Europe, bypassing traditional port seizures.

Europe's leading agency against drug trafficking is advocating for the use of military force, including disabling tactics and shooting, during maritime pursuits. The Maritime Analysis and Operations Center (MAOC) released a memo this spring urging countries to adopt more aggressive measures against drug smugglers, according to confidential documents obtained by multiple international news outlets.

use of force during maritime pursuits, allowing for engine-disabling tactics and shooting

— MAOC memoUrging countries to adopt more aggressive measures against maritime drug smugglers.

This push for force comes as Europe grapples with an unprecedented influx of cocaine. A recent operation saw a French Navy sniper disable a high-speed smuggling vessel by shooting its engines from a helicopter, marking the first time a European military had fired on such a craft. French maritime officials support these more militarized operations, citing a lack of naval assets to intercept a significant portion of smuggling vessels.

a tsunami of cocaine

— DEA officerDescribing the scale of cocaine trafficking into Europe.

Despite efforts, MAOC helped seize 100 tons of cocaine last year, but an estimated 770 tons still reached Europe. Cartels have shifted tactics, moving away from large cargo ships to smaller, faster "go-fast" boats. These vessels, often equipped with multiple powerful engines, can travel at speeds exceeding 130 kilometers per hour and wait weeks at sea to collect tons of cocaine from larger transport ships before heading to European coasts.

due to a lack of naval assets

— French maritime officialsExplaining the difficulty in stopping smuggling vessels.

Dimitri Zoulas, head of France's national anti-narcotics agency, described the phenomenon as "'Mad Max' at sea," referring to the "armada" of boats manned by "soldiers linked to the South American cartels." These boats, while costly, are considered disposable by trafficking organizations given the immense profits from their cargo, which can exceed $100 million per shipment.

It’s ‘Mad Max’ at sea

— Dimitri ZoulasDescribing the phenomenon of go-fast boats used for drug smuggling.
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Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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