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| Hans-Günter Meyer-Thompson | Illegal

Europol. Criminal Networks in EU Ports: Risks and challenges for Law Enforcement

Europol. Criminal Networks in EU Ports: Risks and challenges for Law Enforcement

Focus on the misappropriation of container reference codes in the ports of Antwerp, Hamburg and Rotterdam. 

Organised crime is constantly evolving its methods to try to avoid detection. This is especially true for the movement of illegal shipments; drugs, counterfeits and other illicit goods are constantly being uncovered and intercepted by law enforcement in unexpected places. One key avenue for the movement of illicit goods is through Europe’s ports, where organised criminal networks attempt to hide their cargo amongst legitimate shipments within the EU free trade area.

This report is a joint analysis carried out by Europol in partnership with the ports of Rotterdam, Antwerp and Hamburg/Bremerhaven. (Europol - European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation, Den Haag/NL, 05.04.2023)

https://www.europol.europa.eu/cms/sites/default/files/documents/Europol_Joint-report_Criminal%20networks%20in%20EU%20ports_Public_version.pdf