On Monday, officials announced that 39 tons of cocaine, worth over $2.78 billion, were seized by German investigators. The drugs were found hidden among fruits and vegetables in multiple container ships. This bust is considered the largest cocaine seizure in the country, and has resulted in the arrests of seven individuals.
According to prosecutors in Dusseldorf, they received a tip-off from Colombian authorities last year, leading them to seize a significant amount of drugs. The drug bust resulted in the confiscation of approximately 27.5 tons of cocaine at the port of Hamburg and an additional 8.8 tons at the Dutch port of Rotterdam. Furthermore, nearly 3.3 tons of cocaine were found in Colombia.
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In recent weeks, authorities have arrested seven individuals aged between 30 and 54 who are being accused of orchestrating cocaine smuggling. According to the prosecutors, the suspects come from various nationalities including German, Azerbaijani, Bulgarian, Moroccan, Turkish, and Ukrainian. However, their identities have not been disclosed in compliance with German privacy regulations.
According to reports, a businessperson hailing from the western region of Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia established a total of 100 letterbox companies to give the impression of legal transportation.
According to a statement by prosecutors, the suspects have been charged with arranging the transportation of 10 sea containers filled with a significant amount of cocaine from Latin America to Europe between April and September 2023. It is alleged that the suspects worked with other accomplices who are currently unknown and reside in Turkey. To facilitate this illegal operation, the suspects established front companies.
During a news conference in Duesseldorf, Benjamin Limbach, the state justice minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, commended the significant cocaine bust and labeled it as the “biggest cocaine discovery on European grounds,” as stated by Sky News.
According to Limbach, this development is a significant setback for international organized crime. He stated that it is a targeted strike that will have a significant impact on drug kingpins. “It’s like a precise punch to the jaw that really hurts,” he added.
During a news conference on Monday, it was revealed that the seizure praised by German Interior Nancy Faeser had taken place on Friday. The exact details of the seizure were not disclosed until the conference.
According to Reuters, the cartels are making billions in profits while the influx of cocaine into Europe is wreaking havoc on people’s lives. Faeser stated that the situation is dire and needs to be addressed immediately.
According to the state justice ministry of North Rhine-Westphalia, the recent confiscation of cocaine was a significant development in the ongoing criminal investigation called “OP Plexus.” Several local media outlets have reported on this matter.
In a major crackdown against drug smuggling, law enforcement authorities have arrested nearly 40 individuals and seized a whopping eight tons of cocaine. This operation was carried out over several years, and its success was recently announced by Europol. The recent arrests and seizure are a result of this operation, demonstrating the commitment and effectiveness of law enforcement agencies in combating drug trafficking.
According to the police coordination agency based in The Hague, a significant setback has been inflicted on the cartel as its key leaders located in Turkey and Dubai were apprehended in a final round of arrests on Wednesday.
On Thursday, Europol unveiled a video that spanned almost 10 minutes, along with images that showcased K-9 dogs and officers discovering bags of drugs and detaining numerous suspects. The footage also depicted officers intercepting a boat at sea and unloading bags of suspected narcotics.
