Amsterdam man arrested after 1,200 kg of cocaine found in Colombia banana shipment
Dutch authorities seized 1,200 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a shipment of bananas from Colombia at the port of Vlissingen, leading to the arrest of a 43-year-old man from Amsterdam, according to the Public Prosecution Service (OM).
The cocaine was discovered by Customs officers on Friday, August 8, during an inspection in Vlissingen. The drugs, concealed among bananas, were secured and later destroyed by the Douane’s Special Assistance Team (TBB).
Following the seizure, the Zeehavenpolitie of the Zeeland-West-Brabant unit launched an investigation. That operation resulted in the suspect’s arrest on Tuesday, August 12, carried out by a police arrest team.
When detained, the man was found carrying 19,000 euros in cash. Police also seized a company car. His home in Amsterdam was searched under the supervision of an investigating judge, where authorities confiscated digital data carriers and one kilogram of cannabis. Later the same day, investigators searched two additional business properties linked to the case.
The suspect remains in custody and will be brought before an investigating judge later this week, the OM said.
