Cocaine, corruption and bribes: the German port under siege by Europe’s criminal drug gangs

Hamburg’s port, once a symbol of clean trade, now faces a crisis as a growing cocaine epidemic has led to a 750% rise in seizures between 2018 and 2024. With 16 tonnes of high-purity powder found in Paraguay-bound containers leading to an arrest before trial, authorities struggle to combat the influx despite doubled security measures and increased funding from neighboring countries like the Netherlands. Internal corruption, with port workers accused of bribing police officers for drug route information, highlights Europe's vulnerability to organized crime as experts warn of its resilience and high demand for billions of euros in kickbacks annually.