During customs checks at the Port of Rotterdam, three seizures of narcotics were made in a short period. The total amounts to 654 kilograms of cocaine.
On Wednesday, July 2, a shipment of 220 kilograms of cocaine was discovered in the Port of Rotterdam. The narcotics were hidden among a load of bananas in a container from Peru. After intercepting the cocaine, the container continued its route to the Port of Antwerp. There, the cargo was unloaded and transferred to a storage location in Belgium. On Thursday, July 24, the pallets were picked up by a truck and transported to a warehouse in Zeewolde. Seven men were arrested there. The arrested suspects include two men aged 31 from Diemen and Lelystad, two 33-year-old men from Amsterdam, one of whom lives in Spain, a 63-year-old man from Zwolle, and a 26-year-old man from Purmerend. During searches of the vehicles, two firearms were found, including an automatic weapon. The suspects were presented to the examining magistrate today. He decided that all 7 suspects will remain in custody for an additional 14 days.
On Friday, July 11, during a check in two containers with logs, a total of 380 kilograms of cocaine was found. The containers with wood were from Brazil.
A week later, on Friday, July 18, one of the containers was picked up and brought to a warehouse in Breda. During unloading, eight men were arrested. These include 3 men from Schiedam aged 27, 38, and 44, a 33-year-old and a 42-year-old man from Vlaardingen, a 38-year-old man from Dordrecht, and a man without a fixed residence aged 34. The suspects were presented to the examining magistrate on July 21 and had to appear today before the council chamber of the court. It was decided that they will remain in custody longer.
On Tuesday, July 29, cocaine was also found during a customs check. This amounted to 54 kilograms. The narcotics were hidden in the construction of a container. The container, which was from Ecuador, was loaded with bananas and destined for a company in Poland. The company in Poland has nothing to do with the smuggling.
HARC Team
The HARC team, a collaboration between Customs, FIOD, Port Police, and the Public Prosecution Service in Rotterdam, is further investigating the case.
All drugs have now been destroyed.