As the U.S. intensifies its efforts against suspected drug-trafficking vessels—destroying them and killing crew members—European nations are also stepping up their battle against drug smugglers at sea.
“Europe is essentially inundated with cocaine,” stated Artur Bas, head of Portugal’s drug police. Vaz, who leads the national anti-drug trafficking unit, added that criminal enterprises acquire drugs in Latin America and supply them to markets with a substantial profit margin.
These illegal substances are transported on cargo ships, fast boats, and even makeshift semi-submersible vessels referred to informally as “drug submarines.” These submarines are designed to sail stealthily, often only the top part visible above water. Researchers indicate they frequently paint their surfaces in muted blues and grays to remain inconspicuous in the turbulent Atlantic waters.
European officials have reported significant drug seizures, including a recent incident where a submarine loaded with 1.7 tons of cocaine was captured in the Atlantic. However, many more smugglers continue to evade capture.
Sam Woolston, a journalist focused on organized crime based in Honduras, mentioned that the interception rates for submarines can be alarmingly low—between 5% and 10%. He noted that minimal arrests hardly deter these criminal operations.
Rather than destroying drug ships outright—unlike the approach favored by the Trump administration—European authorities typically opt to detain lower-ranking crew members. They hope these detentions will help uncover the larger drug lords and the networks behind the operations.
Officials have expressed a desire to escalate their efforts. According to Portugal’s police chief, cooperation and improved capabilities are vital while still adhering to the rule of law.
Interestingly, while drug submarines have existed for some time, their use in long-distance transport across oceans is relatively novel. Derek Maltz, a former acting director of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, described this development as astonishingly sophisticated.
However, the motivations remain focused on financial gain, with the risks considered manageable by these networks. Woolston highlighted that those who crew these submarines are often “desperate people,” confined in cramped quarters for days, and sometimes even exposed to harmful conditions, as some vessels have been discovered with deceased crew members aboard. He remarked that the major players in the drug trade typically avoid using such boats.
