Organized Crime Uses 'Parasite' Method for Cocaine Smuggling in Santos
Criminal networks are increasingly hiding narcotics in ship sea chests to bypass port inspections.
1New Smuggling Tactics
Organized crime groups are increasingly utilizing ship sea chests to transport cocaine internationally. By hiding illicit cargo within these underwater cooling structures, traffickers aim to evade traditional port security and customs inspections. This method, often called the parasite technique, has seen a significant surge in activity at the Port of Santos throughout 2026.
2Sharp Increase in Seizures
The volume of cocaine discovered in sea chests at Brazilian ports during 2026 is already six times higher than the total recorded in 2025. In May, authorities found 341.75 kg of cocaine on the merchant ship Green K-Max 1. These packages were secured with gym equipment rings to prevent them from floating away during transit.
3Evolution of Smuggling Routes
Data from the Brazilian Federal Revenue service highlights a volatile trend in maritime drug trafficking. While seizures in standard port areas fluctuated, the volume found in sea chests reached 2,272 kg in 2023. After a brief decline in 2024 and 2025, the figures have spiked again, with 630 kg seized in 2026 alone.
4Global Trafficking Patterns
The Europol agency reports that criminal networks are diversifying routes to reach Europe, frequently using underwater concealment. Brazil accounted for 63% of 76 global seizures involving submerged ship structures analyzed between 2023 and 2024. Other incidents have been documented in Colombia, Costa Rica, and even as far as Hong Kong in late 2025.
5Understanding Sea Chests
Sea chests are essential cooling intakes located up to 15 meters below the waterline on large vessels. Because these compartments are submerged and protected by metal grilles, traffickers must hire professional divers to install the drugs. This process requires precision to avoid damaging the ship or triggering alarms during the vessel's departure.
6Risks to Ship Operations
The parasite method can compromise a vessel's cooling system, potentially leading to engine failure. While some ships transport drugs without the crew's knowledge, suspicious metallic noises or unauthorized small boats near the hull often alert authorities. Shipping companies generally cooperate with inspections to avoid legal penalties associated with carrying illicit cargo.
7Interagency Inspection Protocols
Inspections are coordinated by the Federal Revenue, Federal Police, and the Navy. Intelligence analysis of routes and commercial data helps identify high-risk targets among the thousands of ships docking in Santos. When a vessel is flagged, specialized Navy divers perform dangerous underwater checks, often requiring the ship's cooling pumps to be deactivated.
8Operational Challenges Underwater
Divers face significant hazards, including strong currents, low visibility, and the risk of being sucked into intake valves if pumps are not properly shut down. While the Federal Police utilize remotely operated underwater robots for initial surveys, human divers remain necessary to confirm findings and physically remove the drug packages from the hull.
9Scale of Port Traffic
The sheer volume of maritime traffic makes comprehensive inspections impossible. In 2025, the Port of Santos handled over 5,700 vessels, averaging 40 to 60 maneuvers daily. Authorities must prioritize high-risk targets, as inspecting every single ship is logistically unfeasible for any nation, necessitating a reliance on risk-based intelligence and international cooperation.
10Intangible Gains in Repression
Beyond actual seizures, authorities emphasize the value of intangible gains in anti-trafficking operations. Increased presence and frequent inspections force criminal organizations to delay shipments, change routes, or incur higher costs. These disruptions hinder the efficiency of criminal logistics, even when a specific mission does not result in the recovery of narcotics.
11Future of Maritime Security
The reliance on specialized divers creates a bottleneck for criminal groups, as skilled labor is difficult to replace. Authorities are now incorporating lessons from Santos into national training manuals. As smuggling methods evolve, the focus remains on integrating advanced technology and intelligence to stay ahead of these complex, underwater criminal logistics networks.