Cocaine seized in Vlissingen worth 118 million euros
Authorities in the Netherlands intercepted a massive cocaine shipment valued at 118 million euros during a routine inspection at the Port of Vlissingen. On November 28 and 29, 2024, customs officials uncovered 1,575 kilograms of the drug hidden among pallets of fruit imported from Colombia. The consignment, bound for Germany, was intercepted and the cocaine was immediately destroyed.
The cocaine was concealed within the fruit cargo, which included bananas and other produce. The drugs were detected during standard inspections at the port, a key entry point for goods coming from South America.
"The discovery of this cocaine, with a street value of 118 million euro, reflects the ongoing vigilance of our teams," a customs spokesperson said.
The discovery follows a series of significant drug busts at the Vlissingen port. On October 24, 2024, customs officers, using sniffer dogs, uncovered 600 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a shipment of bananas. Less than a month later, on November 15, 278 kilograms of cocaine were found in similar circumstances, packed inside banana boxes.
In addition, two separate shipments, each containing more than 700 kilograms of cocaine, were seized in November. Authorities arrested three men from the Zeeland region in connection with these larger finds, though no arrests have been made in connection with this latest shipment.
The investigation into the origin and recipients of the cocaine shipment continues. The authorities have yet to make any arrests related to the most recent bust. Security at the port was reinforced with support from the Royal Marechaussee and local police forces.
Customs officers have been increasingly successful in intercepting large quantities of cocaine entering the Netherlands via the fruit trade, particularly from Colombia. The Netherlands has become a major transit point for drugs, with ports like Vlissingen playing a critical role in the global drug trade.
