Four arrests after more than 1,000 kg of cocaine discovered in wood pellets at the Port of Antwerp
Antwerp – Belgian police have uncovered 1,000 kilograms of cocaine originating from Colombia in the Port of Antwerp following an international investigation. The drugs had been dissolved and concealed within 3,500 bags of wood pellets, each weighing 15 kilograms.
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Similar Seizures
The interception in Antwerp is not an isolated case. In recent years, cocaine-containing shipments have been discovered in wood products and other bulk commodities at multiple locations around the world, as shown below:
- April 2025 – Reus (Spain)
Spanish police arrested five suspects allegedly involved in the import of approximately 16,500 kilograms of cocaine-infused pellets (920 bags weighing 18 kilograms each) from Columbia.
Source: OCCRP - April 2025 – Gioia Tauro (Italy)
Authorities at the Italian port of Gioia Tauro discovered 113 kilograms of cocaine concealed in a shipment of wood pellets.
Source: Ports Europe - April 2025 – Dublin (Ireland)
During an inspection of Colombian plywood, authorities seized 74 kilograms of cocaine. Investigators also uncovered a laboratory that was allegedly intended to extract the cocaine from the wood product.
Source: Wood Central - April 2025 – Antwerp (Belgium)
Belgian authorities intercepted 5,400 kilograms of cocaine, concealed in 450 boxes containing approximately 12 kilograms of liquid soap each.
Source: Havennieuws.nl
Drug Monitor
Thanks to this latest seizure, Antwerp further strengthens its leading position in the Havennieuws.nl Drug Monitor. The Belgian port therefore remains the leading contender to receive the “Largest Drug Port of Europe 2026” Award at the end of this year.