ROTTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS – In a wave of produce-focused drama, authorities recently swarmed and scoured 150 containers of fruit in the Port of Rotterdam after suspicious activity. Such instincts were well-founded as officials uncovered cocaine hidden within the containers, hailing from Panama.
Officials were first alerted to illicit activities after intruders were spotted within the Port’s ECT Delta Terminal. At this point, due to a heightened rate of drug activity lately within the Port, authorities blocked the section that contained over 300 containers so they could begin their search.
According to news source RTV Rijnmond, over 600 pounds of cocaine were found throughout the Port as part of a massive authority sweep. From this rubble of nefarious drugs, over 55 pounds (or 25 kilos) were pulled specifically from their resting place nestled amongst fruit, although conflicting reports do have that number pegged as much higher.
"It looks like we are heading for a white Christmas," said Press Officer Ernst Pols. "The drug flow is too great, and that we must reduce. That means, in the future, we will increase our alertness."
The Port was host to all sorts of sketchy behavior during the bust, as authorities have noted a recent rise in drug activity in the Port. Amongst the searched containers, whose true contents were revealed by drug dogs, officials also reported apprehended men cutting open containers to possibly search for more drugs. More opened and missing containers were reported as well, which could signify the removal of cocaine from the Port before authorities were alerted.
As Netherlands Customs, HARC team, and other authorities coordinate together to make arrests and clamp down on drug-filled fruit behavior, The Telegraph NL reported that over 27,500 pounds (12,500 kilos) of cocaine have been legally thwarted this year alone, which is several thousand more than average.
What strange pairing will fruit, veg, and the underworld make next? AndNowUKnow will be here to apprise you.
