Criminals are increasingly smuggling drugs into the Netherlands through the post.

Last year, customs officers at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport intercepted more than 2000 packages contained cocaine. That is 40 percent up on the year before.

Most of the drugs had been sent from Surinam, many were packed as presents. Almost no packages were intercepted in Surinam itself. Surinamese Justice Minister Chandrikapersad Santokhi blames this on a lack of staff.

Part of the reason why criminals have switched to smuggling drugs by post is the 100 percent checks on passengers from Surinam. Passengers on flights from Surinam all undergo checks to make sure they have not concealed drugs on or even in their bodies.

Last year, more than 700 passengers from Surinam were found to be carrying drugs. That's the same number as in 2008, but half the total for 2007.

© Radio Netherlands Worldwide