The illicit drug trade unquestionably poses a great challenge to global security and public health. this study explores the current practices and challenges associated with maritime shipping container inspections and the different approaches carried out to enhance drug detection capabilities. the maritime shipping industry and containerization play a crucial role in global trade, being the most effective, fastest, and cheapest way to move goods around the world. Unfortunately, drug traffickers have taken advantage of this vast network to transport their illicit drugs (mainly cocaine) from producing nations to wherever there is a demand. this project explores the various methods and techniques used for smuggling drugs into europe via maritime shipping containers, as well as emerging tactics and adaptations observed in recent years, shedding light on the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies, highlighting the importance of better and more advanced inspection and detection methods in ports, and what the future trend is going to be in the coming years, including an assessment of the shifting drug market dynamics, changes in trafficking routes, and the diversification of smuggling methods. the findings of this project also will try to provide insight into the evolving strategies employed by criminal organizations to smuggle narcotics into europe, as well as highlighting the importance of constant innovation in counter-measures to stay behind as little as possible of the ever-changing tactics used by drug traffickers and safeguard the european continent from the influx of illicit drugs as much as possible.
