It is well known that merchant ships, among others, are most commonly used by smugglers for their illegal activities. Despite all the efforts made by stakeholders, highly organized smugglers find ways to adapt and to penetrate vessels and ports. Turkey is of strategic importance in terms of geopolitical location for drug smugglers. According to the Association’s correspondent Vitsan Mümessillik ve Müşavirlik A.Ş., narcotic smuggling risk in Turkey and all over the world has increased in recent years. In response, Turkish authorities have intensified their efforts in counter-narcotic operations. Therefore, Vitsan has provided a brief guidance for the P&I Clubs and their Members regarding the latest cases involving owners and crewmember.

I. Flow of Illicit Goods

Due to its location Türkiye is exposed to extensive flow of licit and illicit goods. It lies at the crossroads of the heroin production sites in Afghanistan and consumption markets in Europe. Türkiye is also intensively exposed to the growing ATS and precursor trade between Europe and the Middle East. Since 2014, the amount of the drug seized in the country has increased sevenfold from 393 kilograms to a record 2.8 tons in 2021. We have seen an increase in smuggling activities in the ports of Iskenderun, Mersin, Istanbul and Zonguldak.

The figures quoted by the U.N. indicated that Colombian authorities seized 5 tons of cocaine in two containers that were bound for Turkey in 2020. This was followed by the seizure of 1.3 tons of cocaine in Brazil on a private Turkish jet. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has identified Turkey as a major transit country for cocaine. Some of the cocaine reaching Turkey arrives after transiting through West Africa, and some comes directly from Latin America. While many countries struggle to prevent the shipment of drugs through their territory, Turkey appears to be turning a blind eye to it.

II. Criminal Proceedings

In response, Turkish authorities have intensified their efforts in counter-narcotic operations. Government officials frequently make public statements through the media, affirming their commitment to further increasing these operations in the ongoing fight against narcotics.

Drugs seized from ships by the Turkish authorities are generally concealed by smugglers in the following areas:

1. a) Hiding drugs in containers
2. b) Attaching drugs to the hull of vessels using magnets or other devices
3. c) Placing drugs in the vessel's sea chests
4. d) Placing drugs to vessel’s rudder or propeller
5. e) Placing drugs in the anchor chain/chain locker

The police officers usually act upon intelligence and conduct a search on board the vessel. This search may cause delay on the vessel’s schedule. However, there is usually no arrest of the vessel at the end of searches and the vessel can depart without any problem. If any contraband is found on board the vessel, the crew members are likely to suffer as it is common practice in Turkish jurisdiction to consider crew members as suspects of the crime. It is therefore important for crew members to be aware of this risk, as it is their freedom that is at stake. Vitsan has not experienced any proceedings against the shore personnel. If the narcotics are found in containers. This is a low-risk modality and they usually see that the crew is released after the exchange of statements. However, the other methods (above items B to E), which they usually encounter on bulk carriers, reflect a high risk and threats to the crew members are more complex, as the crew members are exposed to criminal proceedings that can take years, during which they may be detained or banned from leaving Turkiye. This results in high legal expenses and other costs for the Owners.

III. Advice to Members

In view of the above, we suggest the following preventive measures for the Owners/Managers to consider:

- Informing crew members of the risks and making them aware of the importance of strictly following SMS procedures.

- Constant patrolling of the vessel by crew members.

- All visitors should be carefully noted.

- Vessel search check list should be filled out with utmost diligence.

- Dog search is also a good preventive action.

- The crew members should be vigilant while they heaving up the anchor and lookout for any foreign objects.

- After departure of the port area, the master should pay special attention to the following small boats to prevent the hull from being attached to drugs.

- We suggest using (or at least testing) both sea chests by shifting to another during voyage.

- We suggest underwater inspection.

IV. Conclusion

The World Drug Report 2023 revealed once again the harms caused by drug trafficking and illicit drug economies are contributing to and compounding many of these threats, from instability and violence to environmental devastation. Given the increase in levels of drug trafficking through waterways and maritime routes in containerized shipments, ports continue to be important nodes where drugs are smuggled across borders, warranting more effective control targeting potential chokepoints. While many countries struggle to prevent the shipment of drugs through their territory, law enforcement responses are keeping pace with criminal business. Prevention and access to practice drug control will not leave ships behind.

For more information, please contact Managers of the Association.