Customs Records Sharp Increase in Black-Market Shipments from North America
26-01-26 | The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reports that European customs authorities have recorded significantly increasing cannabis seizures from the USA and Canada. Particularly affected is Cologne/Bonn Airport, where more than ten tonnes of cannabis were seized in 2025, mostly from the USA. The European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) reportedly also alerted member states through a warning notice to the growing inflow from North America.
According to the EUDA, finds have increased sharply in several countries. In Belgium, more than 21 tonnes of cannabis were seized in 2024, mainly in containers from Canada. In the Netherlands, the quantity reportedly multiplied to around 65 tonnes. Scientific analyst Robert Pătrăncuş said the share of North American cannabis on the European market is now considerable. A key driver is considered to be a significant price difference between North America and Europe.
The background is reportedly an overproduction following legalisation in Canada and several US states. While the legal market there is under price pressure, criminal networks would benefit from a growing black market. According to the EUDA, there is also a risk that illegally imported cannabis is contaminated with pesticides.
Source: German Cannabis Assoc Newsletter
