Record seizure: Eight tonnes of cocaine confiscated at Wilhelmshaven port
German customs authorities have seized a record quantity of eight tonnes of cocaine at the port of Wilhelmshaven in Lower Saxony. The drugs are estimated to be worth 500 million euros. Two suspects were arrested in Spain.
Record seizure: Eight tonnes of cocaine confiscated at Wilhelmshaven port
At the port of Wilhelmshaven in Lower Saxony, German customs have discovered a record quantity of eight tonnes of cocaine. The drugs had an estimated street value of approximately 500 million euros. The operation took place in early February, but details were only released now in the interest of ongoing investigations.
The cargo ship had entered from Sierra Leone. The search was made possible through cooperation with Spanish authorities. According to the Hannover Main Customs Office, thanks to operational and tactical cooperation between the Hannover Customs Investigation Office and Spanish customs authorities, two suspects were arrested in Spain on 14 May.
The ship was supposed to transport cocoa beans to Spain. However, during an X-ray inspection of the container, irregularities were detected. During the subsequent search, officers discovered more than 400 packages wrapped in black plastic instead of the declared goods. Each package contained approximately 20 pressed blocks of cocaine.
One of those arrested is the managing director of a foreign company. Spanish customs link him to a previous maritime cocaine shipment. Both suspects are in pre-trial detention.
Source: Mediafax
Source: Google News RO — Crime (ro)