22 May 2023

In the fight against cocaine trafficking through the Atlantic Ocean, Navies and drug enforcements agencies must deal with ever more ingenious traffickers. While the routes taken remain similar, the types of vectors and vessels differ according to the preferred modus operandi. West Africa and its main ports are also playing an increasingly important role in this traffic, where the region is becoming a redistribution platform and a fast-growing consumption area.

By Louis Borer, Senior analyst

In order to move as much cocaine as possible from the producing countries, mostly in Latin America, to the consuming countries, traffickers show ingenuity and constant innovation, constituting an adaptation challenge for enforcement agencies, navies and the maritime industry. From a shipowner's point of view, knowledge of the routes taken and operating methods used can, in some cases, enable mitigation measures to be put in place. Recently updated by the UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime), the maritime routes used confirm the growing role of Africa as a redistribution hub for cocaine trafficking, particularly through the ports on the West African coast.

The modes of transport have also evolved. While the traditional go-fast boats, which speed through the Caribbean arc on the same model as the cars that travel up the Spanish and French motorways remain the same, the slow movers used for transatlantic transit are changing.

Container traffic remains the most important one. Given the size of the vessels, it is the one through which the largest quantities of drugs are transported, and feedback from ship owners and CSOs is invaluable in identifying the latest trends, such as double-bottom containers, or drugs attached to the outside of the ship's hull by divers. Cargo ships getting also more and more popular for smuggling large quantities of drugs, as in the case of the seizure of 5 tons of cocaine discovered last April by the French Navy off the coast of West Africa. “Jungle submarines", whose modus operandi became widespread in 2008, are still widely used, as shown by the seizure by the Colombian navy of a 30-metre-long semi-submersible intercepted on 9 May, the longest in 30 years, during which time nearly 300 similar vessels were intercepted.

Since 2019, fishing vessels and dhows have been the most popular. These vessels are built in Latin America on Asian models and carry between one and two tons of cocaine per trip in special compartments. On 16 May, the fishing vessel EFESSIOS was intercepted during an operation by the Spanish Customs Surveillance Service with a cargo of 1,500kg on board.

Although the destination of this drug remains concentrated in Europe, West Africa is a transit area, but also, recently, an area of consumption in certain countries such as Senegal and Mauritania, where consumption is on the increase. Between 10 and 20% of the drugs that arrive on the coast are now consumed in West Africa. Many ports on the West African coast are increasingly exposed to drug trafficking, such as Cape Verde, a real regional hub, Senegal, Gambia, and Guinea Bissau.

Such trafficking is often made possible by a high level of corruption among local authorities and port staff, where dockers and logistics chain personnel are likely to be involved. In addition to the reputational risk for the shipowner, a suspicion or discovery of drugs on a vessel at sea or in port would lead to a thorough investigation of the vessel and crew, resulting in a costly detention of the vessel. As such, increased vigilance is recommended in many ports on the West African coast.

MARITIME SECURITY REPORTS:

There are several Risk Intelligence reports that can help you assess the risk of a specific route, or provide further background for decision-making in the form of a threat assessment

The Voyage Risk Assessment zooms in on a vessel and its voyage specifics, and offers an independent third party view on necessary security measures, wheras the Monthly Intelligence Report offers comprehensive analysis of recent incidents and a threat assessment for three main regions on a subscription basis. 

For maritime shipping operators with vessels in West Africa, please see our Monthly Intelligence Report here: