European authorities are reporting a sharp rise in the seizure of illegal cannabis imported from the United States and Canada. According to an internal warning from the European drug agency Eudra addressed to member states-an issue covered by the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”‘s Monday edition-the numbers have climbed dramatically in 2024 and are expected to rise again in 2025.
At Cologne/Bonn airport alone, German customs discovered more than ten tonnes of cannabis in air‑mail packages last year, most of which were traced back to the United States. This represents roughly a ten‑fold increase over the level seen in 2022. In Belgium, customs officials seized 21 tonnes in 2025, almost five times the amount found in 2024. The bulk of that seizure came from Canadian containers arriving at the port of Antwerp. Dutch customs reported a near‑quadrupling of seizures, totalling just over 60 tonnes.
Eudra analyst Robert Patricus told the “FAZ” that the share of North‑American cannabis on the European market is now substantial. Jens Ahland, head of customs in Cologne, described the situation as “a flood” of shipments from the United States and emphasized that authorities are being inundated with these drugs.
The Federal Criminal Police Office confirmed the “FAZ” that a “steady, significant increase” in North‑American cannabis smuggling is evident. The Federal Ministry of the Interior highlighted that countering internationally organised drug crime is a top priority, as it is seen as a key driver of organised crime. Accordingly, the BKA is in contact with other European countries and international partners. The ministry declined to comment on whether German federal authorities had approached governments in Canada or the United States.
Experts point to large price disparities as the main driver of the trend. They note that wholesale prices in North America can be up to two‑thirds lower than European prices, creating strong economic incentives to purchase cannabis in North America and transport it to Europe rather than producing it locally. Cannabis has been legalised in Canada and roughly half of the U.S. states.
