A major report by the World Customs Organization (WCO) has revealed that over two-thirds of detected drug shipments were found to have the involvement of someone directly employed within the maritime cargo supply chain.
WCO’s analysis of over 2,600 global drug seizures, totaling 1,347 tonnes, found that the role of so-called ‘internal conspirators’ - those working directly with criminal gangs either under duress or for profit - are providing an underrecognized, but essential, link in the global drugs trade, especially for cocaine.
Coasting on the global supply chain
While the illicit use of global cargo supply chains for the distribution of cocaine is well known, the WCO Report focuses in on the infiltration of maritime cargo supply chains as the main conduit of cocaine and the often under evaluated role of internal conspirators. A two-year in-depth analysis of 2,600 global drug seizures by the WCO, based on Member reported and open-source data, found;
- 68% of detections were assessed to have had some level of involvement from an internal conspirator employed within the maritime cargo supply chain.
- Internal conspirators massively target shipping containers, accounting for 85% of seizure events and 80% of seized narcotics by volume.
- Considerable shifts in maritime cocaine flows over the course of 2023 and 2024 as transnational organized crime networks adapted, shifting more of their smuggling efforts into smaller ports in other parts of Europe.
WCO Secretary General, Ian Saunders, said: “Illegitimate actors are undermining our collective efforts with industry to promote a system of trade that is safe, secure and free flowing. The sheer quantities of illicit narcotics being detected around the globe clearly demonstrate that those responsible are well-resourced, skilled and persistent. And they deserve to receive responses of equal focus and dedication. As threats continue to evolve and become more sophisticated, our approaches to addressing them must do so as well.”
Cargo, Containers and Concealing Cocaine
Organized crime groups increasingly leverage internal conspirators using four main methods to smuggle cocaine: compromising the structure of shipping containers, breaking into containers as they move through the supply chain, attaching drugs to a vessel’s hull, or at sea drops in the ocean.
WCO’s analysis found that gangs are increasingly embedding smaller cocaine loads directly into container structures, particularly void spaces in refrigerated containers, with retrieval often occurring at unsecured empty container yards, post-border clearance. This method is fast, discreet, and frequently supported by internal conspirators with access to logistics systems, enabling tamper-free concealment. Organized crime groups are readily exploiting easy access points across the supply chain. WCO’s analysis found 627 cases recorded (average of 52 kg) and growing use of GPS trackers for retrieval.
WCO’s Report also finds evolving tactics with deep concealments in container ceilings, where seizures jumped from 0.9 tonnes in 2023 to 3.4 tonnes in 2024. However, floor concealments saw a 40% drop, with authorities believing enforcement successes and logistical challenges - as these concealments require sophisticated coordination and often fail mid-route - account for this change.
The Report demonstrates organized crime’s ability to successfully infiltrate and exploit multiple supply chain vulnerabilities across various supply chain nodes, including many of the world’s maritime ports and terminals.
The full report, Infiltration of maritime cargo supply chains, Organized crime, cocaine and the internal conspirator is now available in English, French and Spanish. The ABF/WCO Supply Chain Integrity Project is funded by the Australian Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Border Force.