Cocaine Trafficking: Evolving Seas

A comprehensive new report from Europol, released on January 27, 2026, reveals a significant evolution in the methods used by criminal networks to traffic cocaine into Europe via maritime routes. The report, titled “Diversification in Maritime Cocaine Trafficking Modi Operandi,” underscores an alarming rise in cocaine flow into Europe, propelled by increased production in Latin America and a growing demand within the EU.

According to the report, traffickers are increasingly turning to sophisticated methods to evade law enforcement. This includes the use of semi-submersibles, high-speed vessels, and complex concealment techniques, such as embedding drugs within industrial equipment and consumer goods. These methods pose substantial challenges to detection, as they often bypass major commercial ports and utilize less monitored transfer points at sea.

One key operation highlighted in the report is “Operation Sombra Negra,” led by Spanish authorities with support from Europol. This operation, which culminated in November 2025, led to the arrest of 101 suspects and the seizure of over 10 tonnes of cocaine. The operation unveiled a shift in tactics, with traffickers employing advanced maritime infrastructure and encrypted communications to transport large cocaine shipments from South America to Europe.

Europol’s response has been to enhance international cooperation and real-time data sharing among law enforcement, port authorities, and the private sector. The report emphasizes the importance of technological advancements in maritime monitoring and forensic investigations to better identify and disrupt these complex trafficking networks. As stated by Magnus Brunner, EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, intensifying efforts and diversifying strategies are crucial to combat the inventive ways traffickers operate and to protect EU citizens from the escalating drug trafficking menace.