Europe's Weakest Border? Smuggling Between Suriname and French Guiana

Contraband smuggling on the Maroni River is nothing new, but cocaine trafficking into French Guiana has recently boomed. Overwhelmed, understaffed, and with corruption within their ranks, Surinamese authorities struggle to combat all kinds of illicit trade across what is possibly Europe's weakest border.

Smuggling into Suriname is widespread. No tax or too little tax is paid on at least 75% of all imports, according to Ramon Fredrik, Suriname's deputy head of customs. This is a significant loss of income for a country mired in a deep economic crisis.

Smugglers caught crossing the Maroni River typically face light punishments that do little to deter illicit commerce in Suriname. And recruits like the youths Codrington apprehended seem to cross frequently.

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