Amsterdam man arrested in connection with cocaine shipment valued at over €112 million
Following the June 13 interception of 4,500 kilograms of cocaine—hidden in a shipment of West African timber at the Amsterdam port and valued at over 112 million euros—authorities have made a significant development in the investigation.
On Tuesday, June 24, a 42-year-old man from Amsterdam was arrested on suspicion of involvement in the drug smuggling operation, the Public Prosecution Office (Openbaar Ministerie, OM) said. In connection with the arrest, law enforcement conducted searches of multiple business premises linked to the investigation. Officials indicated that further arrests are possible as the inquiry continues.
The drugs were discovered after customs selected the container for a detailed inspection based on a risk analysis. Sniffer dogs and advanced scanning equipment aided officials in locating the cocaine, which was professionally packaged and concealed among the wood cargo.
The Fiscal Intelligence and Investigation Service (FIOD), the Customs Service, and the police are collaborating under the HARC-NZKG task force, coordinated by the Public Prosecution Service in Amsterdam. The cocaine was confiscated and has since been destroyed according to Dutch law.
