Drugs risk

Criminal gangs are increasingly exploiting merchant shipping to traffic large volumes of illicit drugs to markets worldwide. Nearly 90 per cent of all cocaine, 45 per cent of all cannabis, and 30 per cent of all amphetamine-type stimulants seized globally during January 2017 to April 2020 were trafficked via sea, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has warned in its latest publication, “Drug Trafficking and Drug Abuse On Board Ship: Guidelines for Owners and Masters on Preparation, Prevention, Protection and Response”. Guy Platten, secretary general of the ICS, said: “The global value of the drugs trade is estimated at US$426 billion, and the problems from illicit drug trafficking continue to expand and diversify. We all share a collective responsibility to assist in combatting this illegal traffic.”