Port security: crucial to the fight against drug trafficking

type: News , Topic: Security , Date: 29 February 2024

Peru and Germany intend to expand security partnership.

During her visit to South America, Interior Minister Faeser met with her Peruvian counterpart Minister Torres Falcón for talks in Lima. In a joint declaration of intent, the two sides agreed to open negotiations on a security agreement. "We need a security partnership between Germany and Peru to stop the ruthless criminal networks", Minister Faeser said in Lima.
This agreement is an important step towards successfully preventing drugs produced in Peru and other South American countries from being sold in Germany and the rest of Europe.

Before signing the agreement, the Minister was received by President Boluarte, Prime Minister Otárola and Foreign Minister Gónzalez-Olaechea Franco.

quote:

“Drug-related crime is a global problem; it is not just a problem of individual countries. It’s important that we’re here today and are talking to each other. But it’s even more important for us to work together continuously.”

Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser during her visit to South America

A guard in front of the Palacio de Gobierno, the official residence of Peru’s president.

Source: Laurin Schmid

Prevention and inspeczions to fight drug trafficking

From Rotterdam to Antwerp to Hamburg, European ports are gateways into Europe for cocaine. But law enforcement authorities are also focusing on ports around the world. For example, 51% of drugs seized in Peru are found in ports. During her visit to Lima, Interior Minister Faeser learned about different forms of smuggling from Peru’s Anti-Narcotics Unit (DIRANDRO). At the port, risk analysis regarding containers was discussed. Minister Faeser also visited the Peruvian anti-narcotics agency DEVIDA and spoke about the cocaine situation and the country’s approaches to prevention and enforcement. DEVIDA is also developing strategies for farmers who are dependent on coca cultivation for drug cartels. They are shown sustainable alternatives that also enable them to earn a living. For example, instead of coca, they might grow coffee beans or cacao beans.

Trove of cocaine found in Port of Hamburg through successful cooperation with Peru

An example from 2022 shows that cooperation with Peruvian authorities is already working well and is successful:

On 31 August 2022, approximately 2.3 tonnes of cocaine were seized and the people responsible for the shipment, two men living in Cologne, were subsequently arrested. Before this seizure, the Peruvian authorities had initiated a controlled delivery, the first times such a measure was carried out for transport by sea to Germany. You can find more information here: more information

Coast guards at the container terminal of the Port of Callao, Peru.

Source: Laurin Schmid

The fight against organised crime - next steps

Federal Minister Faeser will continue her tour until 2 March 2024, with further political talks in Ecuador and Colombia. The first stop on her tour was Brazil, followed by Peru. "We want to establish direct operational cooperation between our police authorities," the Minister said. "And we want to help reduce the destruction that drug cartels bring to the countries of origin through violence, corruption and environmental devastation"

Map of South America with Minister Faeser’s itinerary (Brasil, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia). Source: BMI Map of South America with Minister Faeser’s itinerary (Brasil, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia).

More information on the travel to South America

Fighting drug cartels: Federal Interior Minister Faeser achieves agreements on closer police cooperation with Brazil, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia type: press release

Talks also focus on working together to fight human trafficking, money laundering and environmental destruction

New coalitions formed in South America type: News

Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser visited Colombia as part of her efforts to fight international organised drug trafficking

"Germany shares responsibility as a target market" type: News

Federal Interior Minister Faeser consults on the rise in drug-related crime in Ecuador