Cocaine disguised as chocolate seized in Quito bound for Havana
Ecuador's police force seized 1.76 kg of cocaine hidden in jars of powdered chocolate at Quito airport. The shipment was destined for Havana, with an estimated value of $52,800.
Anti-drugs operation in Quito intercepts cocaine shipment camouflaged as cocoa bound for Cuba
Ecuador's National Police dismantled a shipment of cocaine hydrochloride hidden in jars labelled as powdered chocolate on Sunday 16 November, destined for Havana. According to cubanet.org, the operation took place in the cargo area of Quito's Mariscal Sucre International Airport and resulted in the seizure of 1.76 kilograms of the substance, equivalent to 17,600 doses.
The National Police's National Directorate for Anti-Drugs Investigation stated in an official statement that "the parcels were destined for Havana (Cuba), where the substance would be valued at approximately $52,800 US dollars". In Ecuador, the value of the shipment is around 4,000 dollars, according to the Quito newspaper Extra.
Five jars with 17 latex wrappings
Following inspections, officers found five cylindrical plastic jars with labels from a well-known brand of powdered cocoa. Inside the containers were 17 latex wrappings with "a whitish substance" that tested positive for cocaine hydrochloride, according to the police report. The newspaper Extra described the find: "what appeared to be a simple consignment of food products turned out to be a drug shipment ready to take off bound for Havana, Cuba".
The operation was carried out through several coordinated actions called "Choco 1", "Remesa", "Choco-listo", "Recipiente" and "Cocoa", under the direction of the National Unit for Investigation of Ports and Airports (UIPA) and the National Canine Unit (CRAC) in the palletising area of the capital's airport.
Investigation ongoing, no arrests reported
The National Police confirmed that the illegal cargo was ready to be shipped as an air parcel to Cuba's capital. With regard to criminal responsibility, the institutional statement indicates that "the police institution continues with investigative measures aimed at apprehending those responsible for this crime", without providing details about persons identified or arrested in connection with the shipment.
Source: Google News CU — La Habana