Drug cartels now use livestock ships loaded with disease-infested cows, called “cocaine cows,” to smuggle cocaine into Europe. An investigative report has revealed the scale and complexity of this unusual operation, showing how organized crime exploits loopholes in maritime regulations.
Why Authorities Fear Boarding ‘Cocaine Cows’ Vessels
According to the report, each vessel can carry up to 10,000 cows. These ships, some stretching 200 meters long, are packed tightly with the animals, many of which are sick or dying. Authorities describe the conditions as so awful that it becomes nearly impossible for them to inspect the ships properly.
The stench onboard these vessels is reportedly unbearable. Decaying bodies, excrement, and the smell of disease create a horrifying environment. Many authorities avoid searching the ships because handling thousands of distressed animals is a “logistical nightmare.” In law enforcement circles, these vessels have earned the nickname cocaine cows ships.
Drug kingpin ‘El Mencho’ rises as cocaine floods America at lowest prices in years
Officials say that stepping onto one of these ships is nearly impossible for anyone due to the smell and sheer number of animals. Investigators also highlight that the overcrowded conditions make it dangerous for humans to move around on deck. This combination of risk, disgust, and complexity gives the smugglers a significant advantage.
How the ‘Cocaine Cows’ Smuggling Operation Works
The report explains that these cattle carriers do more than just transport livestock. They act as floating drug hubs, with cocaine hidden in massive grain silos and other secret compartments throughout the vessel. The animals themselves, disease-ridden and weak, often serve as an unintentional cover, as authorities are reluctant to risk inspections in such unsanitary conditions.
Once at sea, the crew attach cocaine packages to small inflatable devices equipped with GPS trackers. These packages are thrown overboard at pre-determined points in the Atlantic. Smaller boats then retrieve the packages and transport them to European countries such as Belgium and the Netherlands, bypassing traditional law enforcement measures.
To avoid stricter inspections, the ships often sail under flags from countries with less rigorous maritime rules, including Panama and Tanzania. Many of these vessels are decades old—some more than 50 years—making them less likely to undergo thorough inspection by European authorities.
This method has proven extremely effective. Over the past 18 years, European police have seized only one livestock ship carrying cocaine, even though reports suggest that at least one suspicious cattle ship leaves South America for Europe every week. The use of cocaine cows has made the operation nearly invisible to port authorities and law enforcement.
Why Authorities Struggle to Intercept These Ships
There are multiple reasons why these cocaine-laden vessels rarely get caught. First, the horrific conditions onboard the cocaine cows ships act as a strong deterrent. Dead and diseased animals create a smell so foul that few officials are willing to board. Inspecting a vessel full of suffering cows is not only unpleasant but also extremely complicated, as authorities must handle thousands of large, unpredictable animals simultaneously.
Second, older ships flying foreign flags help smugglers operate under the radar. Countries with lenient maritime regulations impose minimal inspection rules, allowing these cocaine cows ships to pass through ports with very little scrutiny.
The crew cleverly uses GPS-equipped inflatables, so even if authorities intercept the main vessel, smaller boats have already taken most of the cocaine, making recovery or seizure extremely difficult.
US officials detail how Joaquín Guzmán López oversaw drug operations affecting overdose crisis
The combination of overcrowded livestock, decaying animals, hidden compartments, aging vessels, and GPS-tracked cocaine packages has created one of the most successful and low-risk smuggling methods in recent years. Authorities acknowledge that intercepting these ships is one of the toughest challenges they face in the fight against drug trafficking.
The shocking revelation of cocaine cows shows the lengths to which cartels are willing to go to move massive amounts of drugs across continents. The nickname has now become widely recognized among law enforcement officials, emphasizing the bizarre but highly effective nature of this smuggling operation.