In Mexico in July 2024, there has been a sudden increase of narcotics related incidents in Mexican West Coast Ports.
The current trend points towards a LatAm trade, which is the usual trade affecting narcotics incidents in Mexico.
The narcotics have been mostly found inside containers or inside the vessel’s sea chest. If narcotics are found by the crew or another, adequate legal representation is of the utmost importance as well as immediate reporting of the same.
Related to the increasing incidents, the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) has published an updated information paper. This document provides comprehensive guidance on managing the risks and severe impacts associated with drug and alcohol use in marine operations.
A drug abuse can have significant negative impacts on seafarers and their ability to perform their duties effectively and safely. Even though the maritime industry has acknowledged this topic and begun to address it, incidents continue to happen. Therefore, a bigger emphasis on prevention is necessary to better address this problem.
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has also highlighted the issue in their latest Leadership Insights newsletter. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), global drug activity surged by approximately 23% between 2011 and 2021, with around 296 million users worldwide. Drug traffickers have become adept at evading detection at ports, even employing sophisticated methods such as hacking customs computer systems to pre-clear consignments before inspection.