Italian authorities have intercepted a significant drug shipment, seizing approximately 1,700 pounds of high-purity cocaine hidden among pallets of bananas. The discovery was made Tuesday within a refrigerated shipping container at the port of Vado Ligure, a key entry point for goods into Europe.
The cocaine was divided into 650 packages and described as "skillfully concealed" by Italy's Guardia di Finanza. A field test confirmed the substance was extremely pure cocaine. Officials estimate the seized drugs could have generated nearly $290 million, or approximately 250 million euros, if sold on the street market.
The seizure is considered one of the largest anti-drug operations at the Vado Ligure port in recent years. The operation is part of an ongoing effort to combat international drug trafficking, particularly targeting routes linking South America with Italy. Officials noted that Vado Ligure is an attractive target for traffickers due to its role as a major European gateway.
This bust follows a recent discovery by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Texas, who found over 1,100 pounds of cocaine concealed in a commercial tractor-trailer carrying cabbage. That shipment had an estimated street value of nearly $10.8 million.