Customs Agents Seize 93 Kilograms of Cocaine in Thessaloniki

Customs agents in Thessaloniki, Greece, have intercepted approximately 93 kilograms (205 pounds) of cocaine concealed within a shipment of bananas. The drugs were discovered on a vessel that had arrived from Ecuador, destined for Romania via a French logistics company. The Independent Authority for Public Revenue (IAPR) reported that the cocaine was hidden in 80 packages within the cooling mechanism of a shipping container. The IAPR released a statement detailing the operation, which involved X-raying the container before uncovering the illicit cargo. Following the discovery, customs officials impounded both the drugs and the container, transferring the cocaine to police for further investigation. Authorities are currently working to identify the intended recipients of the shipment, which has an estimated street value exceeding 2.9 million euros ($3.16 million). This incident is part of a troubling trend, as cocaine has increasingly been found hidden in banana shipments worldwide. Recent months have seen significant drug seizures, including over six tons of cocaine in Ecuador, 170 kilograms in Bulgaria, and a record-breaking 12,500 pounds in the UK. The Netherlands also reported a seizure of 17,600 pounds last August, while Italy's Gioia Tauro port saw three tons of cocaine discovered in a similar manner. Experts note that more than half of the world's cocaine production originates in Colombia, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by customs and law enforcement agencies in combating drug trafficking.