The Port of Hamburg has emerged as a major gateway for cocaine smuggling into Europe, following Rotterdam and Antwerp. International mafia syndicates exploit the port by recruiting insiders—including dock workers, logistics specialists, drivers, and IT employees—referred to by authorities as "the door," to locate and smuggle shipments from South America, with only an estimated 10-20% of cocaine being seized. These insiders are attracted by four-to-five-figure payments per job, despite the risk of harsh penalties and difficulty leaving criminal organizations. In response, authorities established the Port Security Center in 2024 to combat these recruitment attempts and strengthen port security, involving enhanced inspections like mobile X-rays and dog teams.
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