Customs officials in the Netherlands have intercepted their largest-ever cocaine seizure at Rotterdam’s port, discovering approximately 17,600 pounds of the illicit substance concealed within crates of bananas.

This operation, carried out on July 13, involved the utilization of trained canines to detect the presence of cocaine within 12 pallets of bananas.

Subsequent confirmation via container scanning led to the extraction of the cocaine from the pallets, CBS News reported.

The details of this impressive interception were initially withheld from the public due to an ongoing investigation linked to the shipment.

Originating from Ecuador and routed through Panama, the shipment of drugs had an estimated value of around $660 million, as reported by the Rotterdam public prosecutor’s office.

The port of Rotterdam, Europe’s largest, has witnessed the handling of over 220 million tons of cargo during the first half of 2023, as documented by port statistics.

However, the port has been grappling with a persistent challenge posed by organized criminal activities, notably the smuggling of cocaine and narcotics through substantial consignments.

In a wider European context, a concerning trend has emerged over the past years.

The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction has analyzed statistical data, revealing record-high cocaine seizures since 2017.

Notably affected are the Dutch, Belgian, and Spanish ports, collectively accounting for over 70% of cocaine seizures in Europe.

This situation has underscored the critical issue of corruption, particularly within maritime pathways, identified as a prominent threat by the center.

Written by staff