The data is from the 2026 report by the EU Drug Agency (EUDA), which warns of the detection of a greater number of facilities for the production, extraction, dilution and packaging of cocaine in recent years, indicating that innovative methods are being used for trafficking into Europe.

"Large quantities of cocaine hydrochloride are processed in Europe, mainly in Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain and Portugal, from intermediate products," such as cocaine paste, the document states.

Dismantlings

According to EUDA, in 2024, six European countries reported the dismantling of 42 sites related to cocaine production, eight more than the previous year, with 24 in the Netherlands, seven in Germany, four in Portugal, four in Belgium, two in Italy and one in Germany.

The report also indicates that in 2024, there were approximately 97,000 cocaine seizures in the EU, totalling 330 tons, an amount that fell compared to the 419 tons of 2023.

Together, Spain (124 tons), France (53.5) and Belgium (44.6) accounted for 67% of the total amount seized, points out EUDA, adding that significant amounts were also reported by the Netherlands (37.6), Germany (23.8), Portugal (23), Italy (11), Ireland (3.3) and Turkey (2.5).

Overdose deaths

Among the 20 EU countries that provided data, cocaine, the second most consumed illicit drug after marijuana, was responsible for 1,133 overdose deaths (27%) in 2024 and 1,053 deaths (26%) in 2023.

In 2024, cocaine was “involved in the majority of overdose deaths in Spain, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Malta and Portugal,” says the report, which presents trends and evolution of the drug in Europe.

High consumption

The data reveal that cocaine consumption remains high across Europe, with approximately 4.3 million European adults aged 15 to 64 consuming the drug in the last year.

“Globally, cocaine production in South America is at an all-time high, and wastewater data confirms that its use continues to increase in many European cities,” warns the agency, which acknowledges that seizure data is now more complex.

According to the report, in 2024, EU Member States reported more cocaine seizures, but a smaller total amount seized, although the total remains higher than in 2022.

“While it is not possible to draw definitive conclusions at this stage, the data suggest that, amid a period of increased police and customs activity, there has been a shift towards smaller or more fragmented shipments and more varied trafficking routes and methods,” explains EUDA.