Basel is considering joining a European port alliance as authorities grapple with a surge in cocaine smuggling through its Rhine river harbor and EuroAirport. The move comes as organized crime groups increasingly target smaller, less-monitored ports across Europe to circumvent heightened security measures at major hubs like Rotterdam and Antwerp. A delegation led by Swiss Federal Councillor Beat Jans, along with the justice directors of both Basel cantons, is scheduled to visit Belgium next month to assess the benefits of the European Port Alliance.
The issue came into sharp focus in 2022 when employees at a Nespresso factory in Romont, Canton of Fribourg, discovered 500 kilograms of cocaine hidden within sacks of coffee beans. The shipment had arrived via the Rhine at the Auhafen Muttenz, a port in the Basel area. According to reporting from nau.ch, three individuals have been charged in connection with the find, one of the largest cocaine seizures in Swiss history. But authorities emphasize this was far from an isolated incident.
“Due to the fact that drug smuggling in the major European ports in the Netherlands and Belgium has become more difficult – due to a combination of technical surveillance, international cooperation and legal tightening – organized criminals are increasingly turning to medium and small ports,” explained Stephanie Eymann, head of the Basel Justice Department, in a recent interview with Bajour. The European Port Alliance, established in 2024, aims to bolster security at these vulnerable points by fostering collaboration between maritime stakeholders, customs officials, police and judicial authorities.
Shifting Tactics: Why Smaller Ports are Becoming Targets
The shift in tactics by drug trafficking organizations is a direct response to increased pressure on larger ports. According to a report by DVZ, a German logistics publication, the combination of advanced technology, international cooperation, and stricter regulations has made operations in major ports significantly riskier and more expensive for criminal networks. Smaller ports, with comparatively less oversight, offer a more attractive, albeit temporary, alternative.
The European Port Alliance currently comprises 30 ports across the European Union, including major container hubs like the Port of Antwerp in Belgium – where nearly 120 tons of cocaine were seized last year, according to Tagesschau – and the Port of Hamburg in Germany. The alliance is continually expanding, with new members joining following a recent ministerial conference in Helsingør, Denmark.
Basel as a Strategic Hub
Martin Schütz of the Basel Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that significant quantities of drugs are regularly intercepted in the Basel region. “Basel-Stadt is attractive for both legal and illegal trade due to its location as a center of an agglomeration, a transport hub, and a border city with two national borders,” he stated. The city’s infrastructure – a combination of air, rail, road, and river transport – provides multiple avenues for smuggling.
Schütz further explained that cocaine typically enters Switzerland via two primary routes: by ship from South America via Spain, and by a combination of ship and air freight via Amsterdam. The north-south traffic axis running through Basel, along with the EuroAirport, also serves as a key transit point for drug trafficking organizations, particularly those dealing in cocaine originating from South America and destined for markets further inland.
Learning from Belgium’s Experience
The upcoming visit to Belgium is intended to provide the Swiss delegation with firsthand insight into the workings of the European Port Alliance and the strategies employed to combat drug trafficking. Miriam Knecht, a spokesperson for the Swiss Federal Department of Justice and Police, stated that Belgium’s geographical location gives it extensive expertise in tackling crime related to waterways. “This trip to Belgium offers an opportunity to learn about possibilities in this area – for example, the port alliance,” she said. Knecht emphasized that security is “an international and national joint effort.”
The Swiss government is currently evaluating the potential benefits of joining the alliance. The decision will likely hinge on whether participation aligns with Switzerland’s existing security framework and offers a cost-effective means of enhancing border controls and disrupting criminal networks. The alliance’s collaborative approach, sharing of intelligence, and coordinated enforcement efforts are seen as key advantages.
The potential for increased cooperation isn’t limited to law enforcement. The European Port Alliance also emphasizes the importance of public-private partnerships, bringing together port authorities, shipping companies, and customs agencies to identify vulnerabilities and implement preventative measures. This holistic approach is seen as crucial to effectively countering the evolving tactics of organized crime.
As the Swiss delegation prepares for its visit to Belgium, the focus remains on strengthening the country’s defenses against the growing threat of drug trafficking. The outcome of the assessment will determine whether Switzerland takes a more formal role in the European Port Alliance and contributes to a unified front against organized crime operating within Europe’s vital maritime infrastructure.
The next step in this process is the delegation’s trip to Belgium, scheduled for next month. Following the visit, the Swiss Federal Department of Justice and Police will present its findings and recommendations to the Federal Council, paving the way for a decision on Switzerland’s potential membership in the European Port Alliance.
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