Fight against drugs: Bremer SPD plans massive security in Bremerhaven!

Fight against drugs: Bremer SPD plans massive security in Bremerhaven!

Bremerhaven, Deutschland - The Bremen SPD faction has teamed up to fight the drug smuggling in Bremerhaven. It is already clear that the port city has been targeted by criminal networks, which affects not only local security, but also influences the perception of the port in the international drug trade landscape. "We have to take measures to deter drug criminals," demands faction leader Mustafa Güngör. n-tv.de reports .

The SPD's proposals include increasing the number of customs officials and the installation of additional X -ray systems for containers. Even more targeted searches should help make the drug smuggling more difficult. These challenges are not new: In 2023, around 1.8 tons of cocaine were confiscated in the Bremen Zoll, another 400 kilos went to the authorities the year before. ZDF emphasizes that the safety precautions in other European ports such as Antwerp and Rotterdam were recently tightened. Since then there has been a fear that the drug smugglers will withdraw to Bremerhaven.

international cooperation in focus

In order to combat the impending increase in drug smuggling in Bremerhaven, international cooperation should not be neglected. In a newly planned meeting on November 29, 2023, Belgian Interior Minister Annelies Verlinde will present the founding of a European port alliance against drug trafficking and organized crime in Antwerp. Around 20 European ports, including Hamburg and Bremerhaven, are invited to harmonize their security measures and improve information exchange , according to the SWP .

The situation shows how important a coordinated approach has become in Europe against the "cocaine flood". In addition to the ports already mentioned, other countries in the EU have also taken measures to control the drug flows. In 2022, a total of 14.4 tons of cocaine were secured in Germany, whereby Hamburg recorded the largest amount with 9.7 tons. However, Bremerhaven does not remain unnoticed-as part of a large search,
( zdf ).

The challenges of the security authorities

Another central topic are the challenges that security authorities are facing to identify the sniffers and smugglers. Criminals use modern methods to smuggle drugs into containers, and infiltrate forwarding companies or impose harbor employees. It is therefore crucial that technological solutions and private security services are also integrated into the security strategies in order to break through the crime structures says the SWP .

The Bremen SPD has already taken the first steps to protect the port workers in their daily work. Managing Director of Bremenports, Robert Howe, confirmed that the safety precautions had to be expanded to ensure a safe working environment. Nobody should be afraid in his job while ensuring the city's safety.

With a variety of planned measures and a look at international cooperation, it will be shown whether Bremerhaven is better prepared in the fight against the increased pressure of the drug smuggling. The goal remains clear: the city should not be perceived as a simple destination for drug crime. If the picture does not change, it could be difficult in the near future to prevent criminal networks from continuing to operate their business.