Italian law enforcement seized approximately 770 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a container of bananas shipped from Ecuador. The black market value of the shipment is estimated at €250 million, equivalent to about $290 million, according to a report from infohub.kz.
The large drug haul was discovered at the port of Vado Ligure. During the inspection, officers of Italy's financial police found 650 carefully concealed packages of the substance inside a refrigerated container of bananas.
A rapid analysis confirmed the substance to be high-purity cocaine. Authorities stated that the operation was one of the largest anti-drug actions carried out at this port in recent years.
Investigators noted that the container was identified following an analysis of trade routes between South America and Italy. The port of Vado Ligure is considered a key entry point for goods into Europe and is regularly monitored by international drug cartels.
Police said such operations are part of a broad effort to combat international drug trafficking and aim to disrupt the supply of banned substances to European countries.