Safety
The fight against drug smuggling via postal and courier services has been strengthened
03 Apr. 2025
A final international expert meeting on combating drug smuggling via postal and courier services took place at the Benelux House in Brussels. The meeting, organized by the Benelux Union in close collaboration with Europol (EMPACT Synthetic), was opened by Michel-Etienne Tilemans, Deputy Secretary-General of the Benelux. This event marks the successful completion of the Benelux project ‘SENN-POST,’ initiated under the Belgian presidency, which has strengthened cross-border cooperation since 2022 and delivered concrete results in the fight against this form of crime.
International participation
The expert meeting was attended by customs and police services from Belgium, Germany, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, and the United States. Several participants from other European countries were able to join the meeting online, including Denmark, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Italy, Lithuania, Ireland, Estonia, and Malta.
International organizations such as the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), the World Customs Organization – Regional Intelligence Liaison Office (WCO-RILO), and Europol were also represented in Brussels. The European Drugs Agency (EUDA) and Europol also joined online.
Focus on synthetic drugs
The meeting focused on the export of primarily synthetic drugs, such as MDMA and ketamine, which are increasingly being smuggled via postal and courier services from Western Europe to destinations such as the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. The growing scale of this problem has led to the need for a joint, international approach.
During the meeting, experts shared their insights, and various countries and organizations presented their strategies and successes. Belgian customs and police explained the situation in Belgium, followed by presentations from the Dutch Hit and Run Post-Team (HARP team), Dutch and German customs, and contributions from New Zealand and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Other involved organizations, such as the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), EUDA, and Europol, also contributed to the discussions. The meeting concluded with concrete next steps for future collaboration.
Successful results of the Benelux Project SENN-POST
This meeting marked the completion of the Benelux project SENN-POST, which has achieved significant improvements in combating drug smuggling via postal and courier services.
One of the key outcomes is the in-depth analysis of the criminal business model within this form of smuggling. This has led to a better understanding of the methods used by criminals and how they can be effectively countered by establishing so-called barriers.
The barrier model was developed to identify process steps that can effectively disrupt criminal processes. This model helps to identify weak points in smuggling routes and provides concrete guidelines for governments and law enforcement agencies to intervene.
Increased awareness and international cooperation
Another important result is the increased awareness and alertness surrounding this issue. Through the joint efforts of the involved countries and organizations, drug smuggling via postal and courier services has been elevated on the international agenda, and more resources have been made available for combating it.
Not only has the alertness of police and customs been sharpened, but the participation of judicial authorities has led to a more efficient prosecution policy in this area.
Cross-border information exchange and public-private cooperation
Finally, the involved countries have appointed Single Points of Contact, which has significantly improved cross-border information exchange and cooperation. This allows law enforcement agencies to respond more quickly and efficiently to new smuggling routes and criminal networks. A dialogue with the private sector has also been initiated to address this phenomenon in an integrated and comprehensive way. Public-private cooperation is one of the key priorities of the project.
Michel-Etienne Tilemans, Deputy Secretary-General of the Benelux: “Our joint efforts have led to concrete and tangible results. This project demonstrates how the Benelux can complement and even be a forerunner within the EU.”
European continuation of cooperation
With the completion of SENN-POST, an important step has been taken, but the fight against drug smuggling via postal and courier services continues. A crucial next step is the further development of public-private partnerships with postal and courier services. These efforts will continue at the European level within the framework of Europol’s EMPACT cooperation.
The expert meeting in Brussels confirmed how important international cooperation is in combating synthetic drugs. The insights gained and shared best practices provide a solid foundation for continuing these efforts at the European level.
