Dutch Hacker Sentenced to Seven Years for Port Breaches Tied to Drug Trafficking

The Amsterdam Court of Appeal has finalized a seven-year prison sentence for a 44-year-old Dutch national convicted of hacking port logistics systems to enable drug trafficking. The sentence, originally handed down in 2022, was appealed on grounds that authorities unlawfully intercepted encrypted communications from the Sky ECC service, but the court rejected these claims and upheld the conviction.

The Attack: Social Engineering and Persistent Access

The hacker gained initial access to port logistics systems through a classic social engineering vector: employees were manipulated into inserting USB sticks containing malware into their workstations. While the exact method of coercion wasn't detailed in court documents, this approach bypassed perimeter defenses and allowed the attacker to deploy remote access tools on internal networks.

Once inside, the attacker performed two critical actions that demonstrate sophisticated operational knowledge:

1. Data exfiltration from databases: Extracting sensitive information that could reveal shipping manifests, customs declarations, and cargo tracking data
2. Interception of data during transmission: Capturing real-time communications between port systems, potentially including cargo release authorizations and customs clearance messages

This access pattern suggests the attacker understood not just how to breach systems, but how to manipulate the data flows that port operations depend on for legitimate cargo processing.

The Criminal Enterprise: From Breach to Trafficking

The court found that the hacking served a specific criminal purpose: "to gain access to port systems so he could then import drugs undetected and undetected, thus facilitating drug trafficking." Between September 15, 2020, and April 24, 2021, the individual attempted to resell both malware and operational instructions, indicating this wasn't a solo operation but a broader criminal service.

The conviction included:

• Computer hacking to facilitate drug trafficking
• Importation of 210kg of cocaine in the Netherlands
• Attempted extortion

The Sky ECC Encryption Controversy

The defense's appeal centered on alleged procedural violations during the investigation. Europol's 2021 operation against Sky ECC, an end-to-end encrypted chat service popular among criminal networks, provided crucial evidence. The service's CEO was arrested, and law enforcement gained access to millions of messages.

The court rejected the defense's objections, finding they failed to substantiate claims that the evidence collection violated the defendant's fair-trial rights. This ruling reinforces that even when law enforcement cracks encrypted services, properly obtained evidence can withstand legal challenges if procedural safeguards are followed.

Critical Infrastructure Implications

This case exposes vulnerabilities in port logistics that extend beyond the specific attack:

USB-based initial access: Despite widespread awareness of USB threats, port operations still rely on human operators who can be socially engineered. The attack demonstrates that critical infrastructure remains vulnerable to low-tech entry points.

Supply chain manipulation: By compromising port logistics firms, attackers can manipulate not just cargo data but the entire supply chain verification process. A single breach can affect thousands of containers and millions of dollars in trade.

Insider threat vectors: The case shows how external actors can weaponize insiders—whether through coercion, bribery, or deception—to bypass technical controls.

Broader Context: Ports as Criminal Targets

Rotterdam is Europe's largest port, handling over 14 million TEU annually. Antwerp ranks among the top 20 globally. These facilities process massive volumes where manual inspection of every container is impossible. Digital systems provide efficiency but create single points of failure.

The attack mirrors a growing trend where criminal organizations target logistics infrastructure not for ransom, but to facilitate other crimes. Unlike ransomware attacks that seek immediate payment, these breaches enable sustained, profitable operations like drug trafficking that can generate far greater returns.

Lessons for Port and Logistics Security

1. USB Device Controls: Organizations must implement technical controls that prevent unauthorized USB devices from executing code. Application whitelisting, device control policies, and USB port lockdowns are essential.

2. Network Segmentation: Port logistics networks should be segmented so that a breach in one firm's systems doesn't provide access to core port operations or customs systems.

3. Data Flow Monitoring: Since the attacker intercepted data in transit, organizations need robust monitoring of east-west traffic, not just north-south perimeter monitoring.

4. Insider Threat Programs: The USB vector suggests insider involvement, whether intentional or coerced. Background checks, behavioral monitoring, and clear reporting channels for suspicious requests are critical.

5. Encrypted Communications Monitoring: While this case involved cracked encryption, it also shows that criminals increasingly rely on encrypted services. Organizations need legal, compliant methods to monitor for data exfiltration through encrypted channels.

Legal Precedent for Cyber-Enabled Drug Trafficking

The seven-year sentence reflects how courts are treating cyber crimes that enable traditional crimes. The hacking itself, while serious, was the enabler for drug trafficking—a crime that carries heavier penalties. This creates a legal framework where the sentence for cyber-enabled crime can exceed that for the cyber crime alone.

The case also demonstrates that appeals based on encryption cracking will face high bars. Courts are finding that when criminal networks choose encrypted services, they assume the risk that those services could be compromised by law enforcement.

For port authorities and logistics companies, the message is clear: cybersecurity failures now have direct ties to national security and organized crime, attracting both sophisticated attackers and intense law enforcement scrutiny.

Featured image: Rotterdam port facilities, a critical European trade hub that faced cyber intrusion aimed at facilitating drug trafficking.