STA, 12 May 2022 - Maltese customs officers have seized a record 1.5 tonnes of cocaine hidden in a container carrying bananas from Colombia to Slovenia, the Maltese newspaper Malta Today reported on Wednesday. The contraband, seized at Malta Freeport, is estimated to be worth EUR 300 million.
According to the report, customs officers seized 50 bags containing 1,494 one-kilo wraps of cocaine onboard a ship bound for Koper, Slovenia.
The case is being investigated by the Malta Police Narcotics Department.
Customs said the seizure is a record in terms of volume and value, much bigger than a 800-kilogram shipment of cocaine seized at the same port last month.
In 2019, a total of 750 kilograms of cocaine were seized by Maltese customs officers in 13 raids, and 612 kilograms in 2020, while 740 kilograms were seized in Malta last year, the newspaper added.
From 2020: Cocaine Found in Slovenian Banana Shipment, Company Denies Involvement
