HONG KONG - Grapes are the victim of this most recent nefarious drug crime, as Hong Kong customs officers recently seized over $16 million (HK $126 million) worth of cocaine disguised amongst a grape shipment from Peru.
Last Tuesday, authorities seized 176 lbs (80 kg) of the illicit substance from a shipment of South American grapes bound for mainland China, according to the South China Morning Post. Officials believe the traffickers had intentions of smuggling the drugs across the border into neighboring Shenzhen via a border checkpoint, after a circuitous route with multiple stops in Ecuador, South Korea, Taiwan, and Guangdong province.
The drugs were discovered after customs inspected three consignments holding 14 containers of grapes, during which an x-ray examination showed suspicious images in one of the containers. During the inspection, officials found brick-shaped items in two nylon bags, ultimately unveiling 67 slabs of suspected cocaine, valued at $16,244,928.
A day after the seizure, one individual was arrested in connection to the drugs; officers are still investigating the suspect and if the cocaine was intended for local consumption.
Once again, authorities have been a hero to fresh produce, protecting them from the wicked acts of drug smugglers.
