Port workers in the port of Rotterdam are regularly approached by criminals to smuggle drugs. This is what De Telegraaf writes following an interview with Jan Janse, district chief Zeehaven.
Around one in seven terminal workers in the port of Rotterdam is said to have been approached by criminals on occasion, according to a survey of over two hundred truck drivers and terminal workers. Among truck drivers, the figure is one in 10. Janse acknowledges that the number of those surveyed is low. "But it is the first time we are hearing this from the dock workers themselves. Given the percentage, we are dealing with a serious problem."
Janse is referring to the drug smuggling problem facing the port of Rotterdam. The amount of cocaine intercepted is said to have increased significantly over the past five years. In fact, more was intercepted in 2016 than in the previous two years.
Criminals depend on contacts in the port for smuggling. This requires customs officers to let containers full of drugs through, or employees of container terminals to tip off sneakers or dealers about the location of drug containers. A group of 150 people who pilot drugs out of the port has now been identified. Over 60 criminals have been arrested in three years. In addition, a large number of men were caught on suspicion of coming to the port for drugs. Since February last year, port employees have been urged to report abuses anonymously. This has so far yielded over 30 tips.
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