Dutch customs seize 14000 kg less cocaine in 2025, cannabis interceptions quadruple

Dutch customs reported a sharp decline in cocaine seizures in 2025, intercepting 24,500 kilograms compared with 38,000 kilograms in 2024 and 60,000 kilograms in 2023.

“It seems the barriers we have put in place are working,” said Nanette van Schelven, director-general of customs, on Thursday at Schiphol during the release of the agency’s annual report. She cautioned, however, that smuggling itself has not decreased. “The opposite is true.”

The largest cocaine seizures occurred in the country’s seaports. In Rotterdam, authorities intercepted 11,500 kilograms, a drop from 25,000 kilograms the previous year.

Vlissingen saw more than 7,000 kilograms seized, down from nearly 9,600 kilograms in 2024, although the number of interceptions, twelve, remained unchanged. “Extra customs officers and sniffer dogs will be deployed in Vlissingen this year,” Van Schelven said. Rotterdam also increased its inspections last year.

Cocaine is reportedly arriving in the Netherlands via increasingly diverse and creative methods. In one Rotterdam case, 633 kilograms were hidden inside plastic avocados. “Cocaine is also being soaked into items, smuggled via private flights, or dropped at sea,” Van Schelven said. Other European countries have reported attempts at smuggling using submarines. Authorities noted smaller shipment sizes, likely reflecting traffickers’ efforts to spread risk.

Amsterdam has become a new target. Last year, authorities intercepted two shipments totaling over 4,700 kilograms that were concealed in wood and originated from West Africa. Customs installed a permanent scanner in the port and is considering a dedicated inspection warehouse.

Air transport also shows a decline in cocaine seizures. Customs intercepted 234 kilograms at passenger checkpoints, down about 65 percent from the previous year, and 590 kilograms in air cargo, compared with 1,700 kilograms in 2024.

By contrast, cannabis seizures exploded in 2025, totaling 65,000 kilograms—four times the amount seized in 2024. Most cannabis was intercepted in seaports, but air transport played a growing role, with triple the previous year’s interceptions.

The majority came from Canada, followed by the United States and Thailand. “What you can produce legally there can be sold effectively in the European market,” Van Schelven said. Cocaine traffickers are increasingly participating in cannabis smuggling.

Customs noted that the Netherlands remains a “gateway to Europe,” with most cannabis intended for export. International seizures are rising in countries including Belgium, France, Germany, and Spain.

Authorities are tightening measures in 2026 to stay ahead of traffickers. The notice period for container inspections will be reduced from 72 to 24 hours to limit smuggler preparation, and officials are exploring immediate scanning of containers upon unloading.