Record drug seizure in Wilhelmshaven: Eight tonnes of cocaine discovered in cocoa bean container
German customs officials have seized a record quantity of eight tonnes of cocaine in a container of cocoa beans at the port of Wilhelmshaven. The value of the drugs is estimated at 500 million euros. Two suspects were arrested in Spain.
Record drug seizure in Wilhelmshaven: Eight tonnes of cocaine discovered in cocoa bean container
A spectacular drugs seizure has taken place at the port of Wilhelmshaven in Lower Saxony: customs officers discovered approximately eight tonnes of cocaine during an inspection of a cargo container. For the relatively small port, this represents a potentially record-breaking quantity. The street value of the narcotics is estimated at approximately 500 million euros, according to Mediafax.
The search took place in early February, but was only made public now for investigative reasons. The cargo ship had arrived from Sierra Leone.
During X-ray inspection of the container, officials noticed irregularities. Instead of the declared cocoa beans, they discovered over 400 packages wrapped in black plastic during closer examination. Each package contained approximately 20 pressed cocaine bricks.
The successful operation was made possible through close cooperation between the Hannover Customs Investigation Office and Spanish customs authorities. On 14 May 2026, Spanish investigators arrested two suspects, according to the main customs authority.
One of the arrested individuals is a managing director of a foreign company. Spanish customs administration links him to an earlier maritime cocaine shipment. Both suspects are in pre-trial detention.
The seized vessel was originally intended to be loaded with cocoa beans destined for Spain.
Source: G4Media.ro
Source: G4Media