Hacker jailed for breaching Rotterdam and Antwerp ports

The Amsterdam Court of Appeal has upheld a heavy prison sentence for a 44-year-old Dutch hacker for a series of serious crimes that straddle the line between cybercrime and organized crime. The case highlights in the clearest way how hacking has become a crucial tool in facilitating international drug trafficking. The 44-year-old has been linked to the breach of ports in Rotterdam, Barendrecht and Antwerp for drug trafficking.

From the hacker's arrest to the appeal

The defendant was arrested in 2021 and convicted a year later by the District Court of Amsterdam. However, he appealed, claiming that the prosecution had illegally obtained access to his private communicationsand used them as evidence against him. The defense argued that there had been a violation of fundamental rights and unfair data collection procedures.

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The Court of Appeal, however, rejected the allegations, ruling that no violation of the right to a fair trial had been established, and thus the majority of the charges were upheld.

The role of Sky ECC and Europol

Central to the case were messages extracted from the encrypted communication platform Sky ECC, which was widely used by criminal networks. In 2021, Europol managed to “break” the service’s encryption , leading to the arrest of its CEO and thousands of users worldwide.

The information collected by this particular company is still used in court cases today, constituting one of the most characteristic examples of how technology can be turned against those who exploit it for criminal purposes.

Hacking port systems for invisible drug

According to the indictment, the 44-year-old participated in breaches of IT systems in major northern European ports, such as Rotterdam, Barendrecht and Antwerp. The aim of the attacks was to gain access to internal logistics systemsin order to facilitate the import shipments without being detected by the authorities.

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The court found the defendant guilty of complicity in computer hacking, emphasizing that the digital attacks had the exclusive purpose of supporting drug trafficking on an industrial scale.

USB sticks, malware and remote access

The method used reveals the complexity of modern cyberattacks. The attacker allegedly managed to infect the systems of a port logistics company via USB sticks containing malware. The USBs were inserted into the computers by employees, without it being clarified whether they were deceived or bribed.

Through this access, was installed a remote access tool , allowing data to be extracted from information databases, offering a complete picture of port processes.

Malware trade and attempted extortion

Authorities also revealed that between September 2020 and April 2021, the defendant collaborated with third parties to resell malware and instructions for its use. This activity is directly linked to extortion attempts, reinforcing his profile as a professional cybercriminal.

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Although he was acquitted of a charge involving the importation of 5,000 kilograms of cocaine, he was found guilty of facilitating the importation of 210 kilograms into the Netherlands, an element that contributed significantly to the heavy sentence.

A message to organized cybercrime

The final sentence of seven years in prison sends a clear message: hacking is no longer treated as a “secondary” offense, but as a key pillar of organized crime. The case shows how digital systems of critical infrastructure, such as ports, are now a prime target for criminal networks.

In an era where physical and digital crime are converging, this particular conviction is considered a milestone for European justice and the fight against modern cybercrime.

Source: www.bleepingcomputer.com