Swiss law enforcement agencies are demanding more resources to fight the smuggling of cocaine.
The Federal Police Office says Switzerland is a European hub for the drug – shipments heading either north to south, or south to north will cross this country.
It’s thought 5 tonnes of the drug is consumed in Switzerland every year – and less than 10% of that is stopped at the border, says the Federal Police.
As it’s highly lucrative, methods to get it into the country are becoming highly sophisticated.
The head of the Sankt Gallen customs, Michael Zimmermann, says vehicles are specially designed to hide the drugs. He pointed out one car had a hidden compartment that could only be opened when it was in reverse.
Border control officers say they’re constantly trying to keep up with the new developments.
It seems they’re fighting a losing battle, cocaine prices are falling and the quality is higher, according to analyses.
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