Dutch customs officials seized 24.5 tonnes of cocaine last year, down from 38 tonnes kilos in 2024 and 60 tonnes in 2023, as smugglers shift to new routes.

Rotterdam was the main location for cocaine seizures, despite the sharp fall, the customs department said on Thursday. Customs intercepted 11.5 tonnes there last year, compared with 25 tonnes in 2024.

Less cocaine was also found in shipments at Vlissingen port – seven tonnes compared with almost 9.6 tonnes in 2024. More sniffer dogs and customs officials have been employed at the Zeeland port since last year.

By contrast, cannabis seizures quadrupled last year to 65.5 tonnes. Most cannabis was intercepted in Rotterdam port, though seizures at airports also rose compared with previous years.

The drug mainly originated from Canada, where marijuana cultivation is legal, as well as Thailand and the US.

Customs director Nanette van Schelven said the reduction in cocaine shipments reflect efforts being made to combat the drugs trade. At the same time, she said, gangs are continuously coming up with new methods to bring in their wares.

One growing tactic is the so-called drop-off method, in which drugs are thrown overboard at sea and allowed to drift towards the coast. This has led to regular discoveries of drugs packages on beaches, including on Terschelling around a week and a half ago.