Large-scale seizure: hundreds of kilos of drugs discovered in banana shipments

Unlawful activities are the focus here. - Large-scale seizure: hundreds of kilos of drugs discovered in banana shipments

The police confiscated about 450 kilograms of illegal substances from a fruit supplier in Groß Kreutz (Potsdam-Mittelmark district), reported officials on Wednesday. An employee detected the suspicious packages during an inspection of the goods and notified the police. Officers then thoroughly searched the premises and secured the area. The authorities have not disclosed the type of drugs discovered.

Not the first time a drug haul in the fruit wholesaler

This is not the first incident of this kind on this site. In September the previous year, police found approximately 500 kilograms of cocaine there. The supplier himself reported the matter to the authorities after discovering suspicious packages during the delivery of banana crates. The cocaine was hidden inside the bananas. In March 2023, the wholesaler seized a massive 1.2 tons of cocaine.

Investigations are underway for a possible drug haul a few weeks ago but nothing was found.

"Concerning in terms of extent, but it's a success in terms of confiscation"

"The repeated seizures of large amounts of narcotics are not just a success in terms of confiscation, but also cause for concern," commented Brandenburg's police president, Oliver Stepien. Despite these interventions, the business continues to attract criminals.

Recent times have seen several drug finds near food retailers. In April, police discovered multiple cocaine packages in various supermarkets across Berlin and Brandenburg, totaling four markets in Brandenburg and seven in Berlin.

Berlin Police Union Head not surprised by is the recurring seizure of drugs

"It doesn't surprise me when now and then a shipment goes missing and ends up in the supermarket, especially since banana crates are used so frequently," Berlin Police Union Head Stephan Weh told the German Press Agency several weeks ago. "We've experienced a cocaine overflow for years."

Smugglers and dealers factor in possible losses when planning operations

"The street price remains stable, purity is increasing more and more," explained Weh. Both drug smugglers and dealers account for possible losses in their business strategy. "They don't care much about it when they see the overall profit," he said.

Read also:

1. The confiscated drugs were believed to be for wholesale distribution, hinting at a larger network operating in the Potsdam-Mittelmark district.
2. The repeated drug seizures in the banana supplier's warehouse raised questions about the involvement of high-level officials in the wholesale of cocaine.
3. The police in Berlin and Brandenburg increased their surveillance on fruit wholesalers and food retailers to prevent further drug smuggling into the country.
4. In light of the prominent drug findings, German lawmakers demanded stricter regulations to strengthen border control and monitor fruit suppliers more closely.
5. The German government announced plans to investigate the possibility of international collaboration among criminal organizations responsible for smuggling large quantities of cocaine into the country.
6. Brandenburg's police department released a statement, emphasizing the need for increased cooperation between local authorities, customs, and border control to combat drug trafficking in the region.

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