Synthetic drugs and cocaine threaten Germany

Customs officers in Germany arrested two individuals after discovering over 400 kilograms of cocaine at the Port of Hamburg.

The police told the local newspaper Morgenpost that the arrests took place at the Oswaldkai container terminal in this major northern German port.

Dockworkers noticed two individuals boarding and disembarking from a ship while carrying more than 20 sports bags and alerted customs officers.

The dockworkers did not recognize either of the suspects as port employees. They quickly informed customs officers, who intervened immediately, stopped the vehicle, and discovered that the individuals intended to leave the port.

Customs officers found over 20 sports bags in the vehicle trunk, which a Hamburg customs spokesperson confirmed contained 400 kilograms of cocaine.

Cocaine influx in Germany and Europe

Hamburg, a northern port city, is a major hub for cocaine entering mainland Europe.

Deutsche Welle reported that Hamburg is Germany’s largest seaport and Europe’s third-largest, after Rotterdam and Antwerp, with over 23,000 containers passing through daily.

Holger Münch, head of Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), warned in 2025 about the rising inflow and consumption of cocaine in the country.

Münch explained that, due to market saturation in North America, drug trafficking is increasingly concentrated in Europe.

Drug crisis in Germany

Cocaine seizures between 2018 and 2023 increased by approximately 750 percent, making Germany another major European hub in the growing global drug trade. This surge not only fuels addiction but also escalates corruption.

Cocaine production in South America and consumption in Western Europe has reached record highs. Organized crime networks profit by distributing a product that is, by weight, more valuable than platinum.

One kilogram of cocaine in Colombia costs around $2,000, but its average value in Europe rises to $40,000.

The Guardian reported that profits from these inflated prices are spent not only on luxury cars and properties but also to facilitate the next shipment, as criminal and trafficking groups expand their influence into countries including the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, and Germany.

Despite a seemingly strong healthcare system and preventive policies, Germany has faced a significant rise in drug consumption in recent years, mainly focusing on stimulants such as cocaine and crack, alongside threats from synthetic drugs.

According to recent reports, drug-related deaths in Germany in 2023 reached the highest level since 1973, with over 2,220 cases, equivalent to 2.64 deaths per 100,000 people. This increase is largely attributed to cocaine use, with more than 400 deaths linked to cocaine and crack.

Cocaine has now become the most widely used drug in Germany, with consumption having more than doubled in recent years.