The cocaine is shipped in containers by freighter from South America, in several cases from Ecuador, and hidden in maple compartments. On several occasions in recent months, Swedish Customs has discovered traces of smugglers breaking into the port area – not least empty maple compartments.
"It's far too easy for the gangs to get into the port. If the port does not increase security, it will be very difficult to stop this organized crime," says Erik Friberg, Head of Unit at Swedish Customs' Crime Department South.
Apprehending and prosecuting criminals has proved difficult. Only once recently have cocaine traffickers been caught. Swedish Customs believes that lighting and camera surveillance are insufficient and that the port is not classified as a protected object.
This means that cocaine today "flows freely both in and out of the port".
Will increase security
The head of security at the Port of Helsingborg welcomes Swedish Customs' demand for having a fixed place to work in the port area and a fixed scanner.
– In terms of premises and location in the port, it is up to us to arrange, but scanning equipment is up to customs, says Joakim Sandberg, head of security at the Port of Helsingborg.
Hundreds of South American containers a week
At the same time, prosecutor Magnus Pettersson believes that every container that passes through the port must now be checked. Every week, the port receives over 400 refrigerated and freezer containers every week, of which between 120 and 130 come directly from South America.
"It can be done, it's very large and you have to understand how large volumes we are talking about," says Joakim Sandberg.
This year, almost 900 kilos of cocaine have been seized, what can you do to stop it?
"Unfortunately, we have very little access to smuggling as a port. Stopping it is a much bigger issue. But now we are reviewing the security work with physical protection and in-depth cooperation with Swedish Customs," says Joakim Sandberg.