Colombia seizes 7.6 tonnes of cocaine bound for the Netherlands at Cartagena port

President de la Espriella hails largest cocaine seizure at the port in a decade; Dutch nationals arrested separately

By LineZotpaper

Published21 October 2026

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Colombian police have seized 7.6 tonnes of cocaine destined for the Netherlands at the port of Cartagena, President Abelardo de la Espriella announced on Tuesday, calling it the largest cocaine seizure at the port in the last ten years.

The drugs were hidden in powdered panela, an unrefined cane sugar, and discovered by the National Police's anti-narcotics directorate in an operation coordinated with the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

President de la Espriella wrote on X that security forces had seized 132 tonnes of cocaine, worth around $6.1 billion, in the first 75 days of his government. "There is no truce against narco-terrorism! Every dose we prevent from reaching the streets saves lives, and every dollar we take from them weakens their criminal structures," he said.

Separately, the Dutch Public Prosecution Service confirmed to the Dutch newspaper AD that two Dutch nationals had been arrested in Colombia at its request. Colombian prosecutors named them as Ronny and Ulrich. Neither authority has linked the arrests to the seizure.

According to the EU Drugs Agency, 330 tonnes of cocaine were seized in the EU in 2024, down from 419 tonnes in 2023.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The seizure highlights the continued scale of cocaine trafficking from Colombia to Europe, with the Netherlands being a key entry point.
It signals the de la Espriella administration's aggressive anti-narcotics posture early in its term.
The separate arrest of two Dutch nationals suggests ongoing international cooperation in drug-related investigations.

Background

Colombia remains the world's largest cocaine producer, with much of the supply destined for European markets. The port of Cartagena is a major hub for maritime drug smuggling. President de la Espriella took office in 2026 and has vowed to crack down on drug trafficking. The EU has seen fluctuating seizure volumes in recent years.

Key Perspectives

Colombian government: Emphasises operational success and commitment to disrupting narco-terrorism, as seen in de la Espriella's statement and the joint operation with the DEA. Dutch authorities: Actively pursuing suspects linked to cocaine trafficking, as evidenced by the arrest of two nationals in Colombia, though the cases are not connected to this seizure. Critics/Skeptics: Could question whether seizures alone meaningfully reduce the drug trade, given the scale of production and the adaptability of criminal organisations.

What to Watch

Whether further arrests or extraditions result from this investigation.
Trends in EU cocaine seizure data, especially if 2025 figures continue to decline.
Any policy announcements from Colombia regarding port security or cooperation with European countries.

Sources

Colombia seizes 7.6 tonnes of Netherlands-bound cocaine at Cartagena port · Euronews

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12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.

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SupportedColombian police seized 7.6 tonnes of cocaine bound for the Netherlands at Cartagena port.Euronews: “Colombian police have seized 7.6 tonnes of cocaine bound for the Netherlands at the port of Cartagena”
SupportedDe la Espriella hailed the seizure as the largest at Cartagena port in a decade.Euronews: ““The National Police has just achieved the largest cocaine seizure in the port of Cartagena in the last 10 years,” he wrote on X.”
SupportedTwo Dutch nationals were arrested separately from the cocaine seizure.Euronews: “Separately, two Dutch nationals wanted by prosecutors in the Netherlands have been arrested in Colombia.”
SupportedDe la Espriella announced the seizure on Tuesday.Euronews: “President Abelardo de la Espriella announced on Tuesday.”
SupportedThe cocaine was hidden in powdered panela and found by the National Police’s anti-narcotics directorate.Euronews: “According to Colombia's National Police, the drugs were hidden in powdered panela, an unrefined cane sugar, and were found by its anti-narcotics directorate”
SupportedThe operation was coordinated with the US Drug Enforcement Administration.Euronews: “in an operation coordinated with the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).”
SupportedDe la Espriella said his government had seized 132 tonnes of cocaine worth around $6.1 billion in its first 75 days.Euronews: “De la Espriella said security forces had seized 132 tonnes of cocaine, worth around $6.1 billion, in his government's first 75 days.”
SupportedDe la Espriella said, “There is no truce against narco-terrorism! Every dose we prevent from reaching the streets saves lives, and every dollar we take from them weakens their criminal structures,”Euronews: ““There is no truce against narco-terrorism! Every dose we prevent from reaching the streets saves lives, and every dollar we take from them weakens their criminal structures,” he added.”
SupportedThe Dutch Public Prosecution Service confirmed to AD that two Dutch nationals had been arrested in Colombia at its request.Euronews: “the Dutch Public Prosecution Service (OM) confirmed to the Dutch newspaper AD that two Dutch nationals had been arrested in Colombia at its request.”
SupportedColombian prosecutors named the two arrested Dutch nationals Ronny and Ulrich.Euronews: “Colombian prosecutors named them as Ronny and Ulrich.”
SupportedNeither authority linked the arrests to the cocaine seizure.Euronews: “Neither authority has linked the arrests to the seizure.”
SupportedThe EU Drugs Agency reported 330 tonnes of cocaine seized in the EU in 2024, down from 419 tonnes in 2023.Euronews: “According to the EU Drugs Agency, 330 tonnes of cocaine were seized in the EU in 2024, down from 419 tonnes in 2023.”