Gioia Tauro, one of the Mediterranean's key commercial hubs, once again proves to be Italy’s focal point for international cocaine trafficking in 2025. The year’s first major seizure took place at this Calabrian port,where in mid-January, a joint operation by the Reggio Calabria Provincial Command of the Guardia di Finanza and the Customs and Monopolies Agency led to the discovery and confiscation of 110 kilograms of pure cocaine.
The drugs were hidden in a container loaded with paper reels, originating from North America and bound for Italy. Thanks to the Customs’ scanning equipment and the support of the Guardia di Finanza’s canine units, the illicit shipment was swiftly identified and seized. The cocaine bricks, concealed among the reels, have an estimated street value of around €20 million. Unlike previous seizures, this operation highlighted a new trend: the container had departed from a North American port rather than the usual South American origins. Additionally, the choice of cargo—paper—is unusual for such trafficking.
In 2024, approximately 3.8 tonnes of cocaine were seized at Gioia Tauro port. The three most significant discoveries occurred in May (250 kilograms from Ecuador), September (280 kilograms), and October (790 kilograms). These shipments would have had a combined market value of nearly €200 million. As part of efforts to combat drug trafficking, investigators in February 2024 arrested three individuals, including two Customs officials and an employee of a shipping company, on charges of aiding the ’Ndrangheta by tampering with transit goods inspections.
