Criminal gangs targeting smaller ports to smuggle cocaine into Europe

Central Statistics Office figures indicate that most international shipments, outside Europe, to Irish ports are coming through Cork Port and Foynes Port (pictured) in Co Limerick.

Drug cartels are “increasingly exploiting smaller ports” to smuggle narcotics into Europe, the Irish head of the EU Drugs Agency has said.

Speaking in Dublin Port at an event organised by the Irish presidency of the EU, Lorraine Nolan said that seaports are “heavily targeted” by organised criminal networks to ship drugs into the EU.

The event marked a meeting of the European Ports Alliance (EPA), a Public-Private Partnership initiative of the European Commission, aimed at boosting the resilience and security of ports.

Both the EUDA and Europol, the EU police agency, have highlighted the threats posed by smuggling, including the corruption of employees of various agencies — both state and private — working in ports. Dublin and Cork ports are members of the EPA.

After the third ministerial meeting of the alliance at Dublin Castle, An Garda Síochána and Revenue Customs performed a live demonstration at Dublin Port of the “tools and tactics” they employ to combat drug trafficking at ports.

The event was attended by ministers, ports authorities, European associations, EU agencies and representatives from customs and law enforcement authorities.

The meeting was addressed by justice minister Jim O’Callaghan and Magnus Brunner, European commissioner for internal affairs and migration.

This was followed by a keynote address from Ms Nolan, executive director of the EUDA, on the issue of drug trafficking through ports, followed by a panel discussion on the topic.

Ms Nolan provided an update on the EUDA’s analysis of drug trafficking into ports: “Our analysis shows that while major ports remain key entry points, trafficking routes are becoming more diversified. 

"Criminal networks are increasingly exploiting smaller ports adapting their methods and talking advantage of complex international supply chains."

She said that strengthening partnerships between public authorities, ports, shipping and logistics operators, and international organisations is “essential” to stay ahead of rapidly evolving threats.

“The EPA is an important step in that direction, bringing together the actors needed to strengthen resilience at the intersection of trade, security and the rule of law,” she said.

What's your view on this issue?

You can tell us here

Mr O’Callaghan said: “Dublin Port handles about 80% of all freight in Ireland. With over 15,000 ship movements a year, the port plays a critical role in the supply chain system. It is vital to our economy and must be protected from criminals using it to move contraband.” 

The latest report form the EUDA shows that 1,826 tonnes of drugs were seized at, or in transit to, EU ports between 2019 and June 2024.

Over 80% of the drugs were seized from containers. Cocaine is, by far, the most trafficked drug through ports, accounting for 82% of all drugs intercepted.

Central Statistics Office figures indicate that most international shipments, outside Europe, to Irish ports are coming through Cork Port and Foynes Port in Co Limerick.

The figures, published last September, show Dublin Port received around 6.5 million tonnes of goods in Q2 2025 — with 3.6 million tonnes coming from the UK and 2.6 million tonnes coming from the EU.

Only 33,000 tonnes came from ports outside the EU and wider Europe, including Latin America.

Figures for Cork Port indicate that of the 2.3 million tonnes of goods coming into the port in Q2 2025, 824,000 tonnes came from outside Europe, including Latin America.

Of the 2.6 million tonnes of goods coming into Foynes Port in the same period, 765,000 tonnes came from outside Europe.

• Cormac O’Keeffe, security correspondent