Monthly Intelligence Report August 2026

This month’s issue of the Monthly Intelligence Report covers incidents that took place between July 1 - 31, 2026, in three focus regions:

• West Africa

• Western Indian Ocean (including the Persian Gulf)

• South East Asia

Focus topic: Record cocaine seizures highlight shifting patterns

This month, we are taking a look at the substantial increase in the number and volume of maritime drug seizures. Cocaine seizures in particular increased in the second quarter of 2026, highlighted by two major incidents: a 108-tonne seizure linked to lumber shipments in Chile and a 30-tonne seizure near Spain. Broader patterns also suggest that traffickers are refining their methods to move drugs more efficiently through international supply chains.

In addition, the report provides a brief update on the maritime implications of the war in Ukraine.

This month's risk and threat assessment

In the report's assessment, the main incidents are put into a broader context to highlight current threat levels and potential changes for maritime operations. Moreover, the report includes forecasts that cover the main concerns in the coming weeks.