Cocaine Hidden in Coffee — Seized Container in Antwerp Was Bound for Istanbul
Antwerp, Belgium
Belgian federal authorities have confirmed new details regarding the cocaine shipment seized last week at the Port of Antwerp, further reinforcing the city’s status as Europe’s primary gateway for Latin American drug traffickers.
A large quantity of cocaine was discovered inside a shipping container operated by MSC, which had been officially declared as transporting coffee beans from Brazil. The container was bound for Istanbul, Turkey, and was scheduled to be transferred to another vessel before reaching its final destination.
The illegal contents were identified during a routine inspection conducted by customs and port security authorities, as part of ongoing efforts to combat international drug trafficking through major European ports.
The container is currently being held at a secure facility under the supervision of the Belgian Federal Police, where forensic teams are analyzing the packaging and investigating possible links to transnational criminal organizations operating between South America and Europe.
This case highlights growing concerns among European law enforcement about the use of legitimate commercial goods, such as coffee, to smuggle narcotics. Antwerp’s complex and high-volume logistics network continues to make it a strategic target for trafficking routes across the continent.
