In a massive operation, German investigators have confiscated a staggering 39 tons of cocaine worth more than $2.78 billion, concealed among vegetables and fruits in multiple container ships. The seizure, announced on Monday, has led to the arrest of seven individuals, marking the largest cocaine bust in the country’s history.
Prosecutors in the western city of Dusseldorf revealed that the drug was seized last year following a tip from Colombian authorities. The cocaine was discovered in various locations, with approximately 27.5 tons found in the port of Hamburg, another 8.8 tons in the Dutch port of Rotterdam, and nearly 3.3 tons in Colombia.
The suspects arrested in connection with the cocaine smuggling operation range in age from 30 to 54 and include German, Azerbaijani, Bulgarian, Moroccan, Turkish, and Ukrainian nationals. Their identities have not been disclosed due to German privacy rules. Prosecutors allege that a businessman from the western German state of North Rhine-Westphalia established 100 letterbox companies to make the drug transports appear legitimate.
According to a written statement by prosecutors, the suspects are accused of organizing the transport of 10 sea containers laden with large quantities of cocaine from Latin America to Europe between April and September 2023. They allegedly collaborated with other accomplices, believed to be residing in Turkey, using front companies set up for this purpose.
The state justice minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, Benjamin Limbach, praised the monumental cocaine seizure at a news conference in Duesseldorf, calling it the “largest cocaine find on European soil.” Limbach emphasized the significance of the operation, stating, “This is a blow to international organized criminality. It’s a precise punch in the jaw that hurts the drug lords.”
German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser also commended the seizure, highlighting the destructive impact of the cocaine trade on individuals and the immense profits generated for cartels. The arrests and seizure follow a recent announcement by Europol about the arrest of approximately 40 people in a years-long operation to dismantle a major drug smuggling ring, which resulted in the seizure of eight tons of cocaine.
The cartel leaders, based in Turkey and Dubai, had been dealt a significant blow after a final set of arrests on Wednesday, according to the Hague-based police coordination agency. Europol released images and a video depicting K-9 dogs and officers finding bags of suspected drugs, as well as the detention of multiple suspects and the interception of at least one boat at sea.
The record-breaking cocaine bust in Germany underscores the ongoing battle against international drug trafficking and the crucial role of law enforcement agencies in disrupting these criminal networks. As investigations continue, authorities remain committed to combating the illegal drug trade and protecting communities from the devastating consequences of cocaine addiction and related crimes.
CBS
