West African coast an EU gateway for cocaine

EUROPE is facing a growing cocaine threat as traffickers exploit a chaotic west African coast to transit massive quantities of the drug into the continent.

Recent figures estimate more than a quarter of cocaine consumed in Europe last year came through west Africa, compared with a tiny fraction three years ago.

The UN report said there was a growing risk of some west African countries being “captured” by criminal networks colluding with state officials.

South American drug barons, many of whom have relocated to west Africa, have joined forces with local gangs.

“In the past three years, west European countries have made remarkable seizures of cocaine destined for or coming from the west African coast — some of the largest ever recorded in the world,” said the report.

“Since these countries can dedicate only limited capacity to policing this vast region of ocean, it is likely that they are only scratching the surface.”

The report, Cocaine Trafficking in West Africa, by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, said 27% (or some 40 tonnes) of cocaine taken into the EU in 2007 came from west Africa.

Gardaí and customs have warned about the emergence of African gangs trafficking cocaine into Ireland.

The UN report said the trafficking of cocaine from South America to west Africa is by sea and air.

“Mother ships”, often specially modified for cocaine storage, discharge their cargo at sea to local fishing vessels off the coast.

According to Europol, the vessels are crewed by west Africans, with Spanish or South American “controllers”. The drugs are also transported on modified small aircraft with additional fuel tanks.

The report said air couriers have been detected in great numbers in EU cities. An analysis of 452 seizures at 11 airports in four EU countries showed 26% of cocaine seized in 2006 originated from Africa. This doubled to 46% in 2007.

The report said a typical tactic was the so-called “shotgun approach”, whereby a large number of couriers were crammed onto a flight, with the knowledge that only a certain number will be stopped by customs.