Customs seized one and a half tonnes of cocaine and made 12 arrests during the international maritime operation White Sea III conducted from 12 June to 11 July along the European coastline and in several ports.
The Federal Public Service Finance announced on Thursday that during the operation, a total of 779 ships were analysed and monitored and 79 ships were inspected. In total, two people linked to drug trafficking were arrested in Europe.
The operation targeted maritime smuggling methods such as disembarking at sea, transhipment to smaller vessels and smuggling, among others. "In addition to traditional smuggling in containers, another trend is clearly emerging: smuggling on board or under ships", the FPS Finance noted in a press release.
The operation, led by Belgian customs, involved 12 European countries, including Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Germany. Patrol and intervention vessels, boarding, search and diving teams, as well as a helicopter and coastguard aircraft, were mobilised.
"Belgium counted on the active participation of the Customs Research Services, the Customs Maritime Brigade, the Federal Judicial Police, the Maritime Police, the Maritime Component of the Defence, the Maritime Information Crossroads and the West Flanders Public Prosecutor's Office", the press release stated.
