Cocaine imports in Europe have reached record highs seven years in a row

As of June 2025, statistics shown by the European Union Drug Agency or (EUDA), have recorded that around 2.7 million Europeans between the ages of 15 and 34 use cocaine at least once per year. In Europe, it is one of the most common and accessible illicit drugs, only second to cannabis. The increasing availability is continuing to influence drug related death, organized crime and corruption, making cocaine a massive issue that is becoming harder to control each year. 

According to the EUDA, young people in Europe are following a trend with overall substance abuse. While both and smoking rates have slowly declined, around 10% between 2003 and 2023, cocaine rates have risen to around 150% over the same time period. 

Cocaine’s growing prevalence within Europe is partly driven by it’s increased production. It’s primarily produced by countries, Peru, Bolivia, and Colombia. In an article published by Reuters as of the 2023 U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime’s (UNODC) World Drug Report it was “estimated illegal production of cocaine rose by around a third to a record of more than 3,708 tons…” In that same year, 419 tonnes of cocaine were seized across Europe, a record high for the seventh year in a row.  

The large abundance is largely due to its high profitability for farmers. Although the drug is illegal to grow, many find that the money generated heavily outweighs those of legal crops. After production, the cocaine is collected by organized drug gangs and cartels in both South America and Mexico. From there, global crime organizations such as China’s Triads, the Albanian Mafia and Italy’s ‘Ndrangheta cooperate to export and import the drug. Each party manages retail within their individual markets which is then sold to millions of buyers worldwide. 

The drug usually enters Europe through major naval ports, with nearly 70% of all cocaine seizers occurring at EU ports according to The European Commission. The two most significant ports are Antwerp in Belgium and Hamburg, in Germany. In 2004, German forces seized around one ton of cocaine. As of 2024, that number has increased all the way to over 40.  

Cocaine is typically placed in shipment containers and commonly hidden in various objects and furniture. However, the most common hiding place is surprisingly bananas. Each year, around 200 million banana crates are imported to Europe and sourced by South America. This allows dealers to play safety in numbers which makes detection extremely challenging. In 2024, 13 tonnes of cocaine hidden in banana crates were seized out of a port in Spain. Despite the efforts, much more continues to slip by as smuggling techniques continue to improve. 

Cocaine is easier to obtain than ever before. Street prices across Europe vary, but on average range between 20 to 50 euros per gram. The combination of increased availability, as well as a growing population of dealers and delivery services, has normalized cocaine use among young adults and teens. 

The war on cocaine far exceeds the millions affected by addiction. It has created violence, corruption and death, affecting millions. In Columbia alone, nearly 450,000 have been killed, and 8 million more displaced in the last 6 years. According to the EUDA, in 2025, around 50% of all European homicides were directly tied with drug related disputes and violence. Countries such as Germany, Belgium and Sweden have reported a rise in organized crime, violence and drug distribution, highlighting that cocaine is continent wide issue with devastating consequences. 

Beyond the violence and crime, is has also become a large issue for public health systems across Europe. According to the EUDA, cases of overdose, cardiovascular issues, and neurological damage have all drastically increased. Public health services such as addiction treatment facilities, and various mental health organizations have become widely strained, and governments have been forced to allocate more funding to meet the demand.  

The growing normality of cocaine among young people in Europe has become to a public health issue and is continuing to further limit crucial resources.