During the Easter weekend, a total of 633 kilos of cocaine were intercepted. The drugs have a wholesale value of around 16 million euros. The narcotics were discovered in two separate batches of avocados.
One batch, 553 kilos of cocaine, was found during a routine customs inspection at the port of Rotterdam on the night of Monday, April 21 to Tuesday, April 22. The cocaine was packed in bags hidden among the avocados. The container originated from Peru and was transported to the Netherlands via Panama. The container was destined for a company in Ridderkerk. There are no indications that this company is involved in the smuggling.
The other find was made on Friday, April 18 at a company in Barendrecht. There, 80 kilos of cocaine were found, this time not among, but inside the avocados. When an avocado fell to the ground, it turned out to be made of plastic. Upon opening, it was found to be filled with cocaine. A total of 400 fake avocados were discovered. This batch had been in the Netherlands since April 1 and originated from the Dominican Republic. This company also seems to have nothing to do with the smuggling.
HARC Team
The HARC team, a collaboration of Customs, FIOD, Port Police, and the Public Prosecution Service in Rotterdam, is further investigating the case.
The drugs have since been destroyed.