Dutch authorities seize 633 kilos of cocaine hidden in avocados Over Easter Weekend

Dutch authorities intercepted 633 kilogrammes of cocaine worth an estimated €16 million concealed in two separate avocado shipments over the Easter weekend, according to the Public Prosecution Service (OM).

One batch, comprising 80 kilogrammes of cocaine, was uncovered on Good Friday at a company in Barendrecht, Caliber.Az reports, citing Dutch media.

The narcotics were disguised inside imitation avocados made of plastic. The discovery was made after one of the fake fruits fell and broke open, revealing a drug package. In total, 400 counterfeit avocados were used to conceal the illicit cargo. The shipment, which originated from the Dominican Republic, had been in the Netherlands since April 1. Authorities believe the receiving company was unaware of the smuggling operation.

The second consignment, significantly larger at 533 kilogrammes, was discovered during a routine customs inspection at the port of Rotterdam overnight from April 21 to April 22. In this case, the drugs were hidden in bags placed among regular avocados.

This container had arrived from Peru and was shipped to the Netherlands via Panama. The fruit was destined for a business in Ridderkerk, which, like the Barendrecht firm, appears to have had no involvement in the trafficking.

Both consignments of cocaine have since been destroyed. Investigations into the smuggling operations are ongoing.

By Aghakazim Guliyev