A container of bananas revealed an unexpected surprise for customs officials at the Port of Rotterdam when it was found to contain more than 8 000 kilograms of cocaine. Dutch prosecutors said the shipment, the largest on record in the port, had a street value of €600 million.
The drugs were discovered on July 13 but the news was kept secret to assist the ongoing investigation.
According to a report by Reuters, the vessel carrying the drugs had travelled to Europe via Panama from Ecuador, which is now one of the main exporters of cocaine to Europe and the United States.
No arrests have been made and the drugs have been destroyed.
The announcement comes a day after a candidate in Ecuador’s presidential race, known for speaking out against drug cartels and corruption, was shot dead at a political rally.
