January 25, 2024 08:33 am | Updated 08:33 am IST - BrusselsThe EU on Wednesday launches a “European Ports Alliance” to harmonise methods in the fight against drug smuggling and to combat the hubs’ infiltration by criminal groups. In the European Union, nearly 70% of drug seizures by customs services are made in the bloc’s ports. That shows the need for more cooperation, not only between police and customs services but also with private operators in the ports, Ms. Johansson said. Smugglers also send drug shipments to West and North Africa, where they are loaded onto small boats that go to mainly Spanish ports, Ms. Johansson said. Currently, fentanyl use is “still on a very low level” in Europe, Ms. Johansson said.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 25, 2024 06:06 UTC