Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser is returning today from a trip to Brazil, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia. She reached agreements with all four countries on closer operational police cooperation to systematically fight organised crime and drug trafficking. Intensive cooperation with the key countries of origin and transit at both operational and political level is essential to such efforts.

Federal Minister Faeser said: “The multi-billion-euro business of the drug cartels causes an unbelievable spiral of violence, which we are also seeing in parts of Europe and which we absolutely want to prevent in Germany. At the same time, the massive demand for cocaine in Europe contributes to brutal violence, human trafficking, corruption and environmental devastation in the countries of origin and transit.

“That is why we want to work together to fight the drug cartels. I am delighted that this week I was able to conclude numerous important agreements with Brazil, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia. This means that we are establishing direct operational cooperation. We are contributing the Federal Criminal Police Office’s expertise to joint investigations and to basic and advanced training for the investigative authorities in these countries. Together, we want to take action against the criminals operating behind the scenes, uncover financial structures and pass on tips about possible drug shipments as early as possible.

“At the same time, we have to ensure that large quantities of drugs stop reaching our ports. We need to make our ports even more secure, for example through better corruption prevention measures at the companies operating in the ports. I’ve invited the Coalition of European countries against serious and organised crime to a meeting at the Port of Hamburg on 7 May to step up our fight against the drug cartels.”

Minister Faeser reached an agreement with Brazil on conducting investigations together in joint investigation teams. A comprehensive security agreement is to be reached for the first time with Peru. After talks in Lima with President Dina Boluarte and other top officials, Minister Faeser signed a declaration of intent regarding this agreement. Despite the tense security situation in Ecuador, a Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) liaison officer is being stationed there for the first time in order to share information directly with the local investigative authorities. Close police cooperation has also been agreed with Colombia. Martina Link, Vice President of the BKA, signed a joint declaration of intent regarding this cooperation. Prevention projects will also be started with Colombia. They will address topics such as the major dangers of cocaine consumption.

Comprehensive police cooperation with all four countries aims to clamp down not only on organised crime and the narcotics trade, but also on the weapons trade, human trafficking, money laundering and environmental crimes. To this end, agreements have been made on a close exchange of information on the methods and approaches of organised crime groups. The countries have also agreed to promote training and further education programmes, as well as international cooperation projects to fight organised crime.

The volume of drugs seized has remained at a very high level at the ports of Antwerp (Belgium) and Rotterdam (the Netherlands), Europe’s main gateways for cocaine. In the Belgian city of Antwerp alone, 116 tonnes of cocaine were seized in 2023. Around 59 tonnes were seized in the Netherlands, and about 35 tonnes in Germany.

Along with Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Italy and Spain, Germany is part of the Coalition of European countries against serious and organised crime. Federal Minister Faeser will host the next ministerial meeting of this coalition in Hamburg on 7 May 2024; port security and the resilience of logistical hubs will play an important role at the meeting.