Over 8 tons of cocaine seized in cocoa container in Germany; two people arrested in Spain
Cocaine with a market value of approximately 500 million euros was found in a container at the Port of Wilhelmshaven that was expected to be carrying cocoa beans.
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German authorities announced that more than 8 tons of cocaine were seized in a container at the Port of Wilhelmshaven on the North Sea coast that was expected to be carrying cocoa beans. According to customs investigators, the market value of the seized drugs is approximately 500 million euros.
The drugs were discovered on February 9 as part of the operation. It was stated that the container had departed from West Africa and its final destination was Spain. Authorities reported that instead of cocoa beans, more than 400 packages wrapped in black foil were found in the shipment, with each package containing approximately 20 blocks of compressed cocaine.
After the drugs were destroyed in Germany, the container was allowed to continue its journey to Barcelona. The teams continuing the investigation identified two suspects believed to be behind the shipment.
The suspects were taken into custody on May 14 in the city of El Ejido in Spain's Almeria province during the delivery of the container. According to the statement, one of the suspects is the manager of an import company; it was also stated that the same person was linked to another cocaine shipment previously uncovered by Spanish customs.
The two suspects could face prison sentences in Spain if they are tried and found guilty.
The operation was announced at a time when concerns over the increasing number of cocaine seizures in Europe in recent years continue. According to data from the European Union Drugs Agency, EU countries seized a record amount of cocaine for the seventh consecutive year in 2023, with the total amount reaching 419 tons.
In the agency's report published last year, it was stated that Spain had carried out one of the largest seizures in the country's history in 2024 by intercepting 13 tons of cocaine hidden among bananas arriving from Ecuador in a single shipment. In Germany, a total of 43 tons of cocaine were seized in 2023, including a 25-ton seizure at the Port of Hamburg.