Six men detained in cocaine case off coast of Langeland

Six men were detained on Saturday night in connection with a cocaine case in Langeland, having allegedly collected 700 kilograms of cocaine off the coast. The drugs were then transported to Lohals Camping, with plans for their illegal distribution to unknown individuals both domestically and internationally, according to police reports. The detained men, aged between 24 and 44, were accompanied by interpreters for Albanian and English during their court appearance, where they all pleaded not guilty.

Henrik Vigh, a professor at the University of Copenhagen, noted that the operation reflects a growing trend in drug trafficking, particularly the so-called “drop-off” method. This involves ships dropping drugs at sea, often near coastal areas where retrieval is easier, away from law enforcement. A boat confiscated at the port of Spodsbjerg is linked to this operation.

Drug shipments typically originate from larger South American ports. Once the cargo ships enter EU waters, the drugs are thrown overboard for collection by accomplices in smaller boats. Vigh highlighted Denmark’s increasing significance as a transit point for cocaine shipments due to its proximity to busy ports in Hamburg, Gdansk, Oslo, and Helsingborg.

Additionally, Vigh pointed out that port and shipping employees may assist in concealing cocaine within legitimate cargo, making it challenging to intercept these shipments without disrupting supply chains. The rise in cocaine consumption in Denmark further complicates the situation, with an upward trend clearly identified. Improving scanning methods and intelligence cooperation could be potential solutions, though significant challenges remain in tackling this issue effectively.