Over 35 metric tons of cocaine seized: Authorities disclose specifics of substantial drug haul capture
Over 24.5 metric tons of cocaine, approximately 11 tons more in Guayaquil, Ecuador, and Rotterdam, Netherlands, were allegedly confiscated from sea shipping containers in Hamburg Port. Extra eleven tons were also found in Guayaquil and Rotterdam. The investigations were triggered by tips from Colombian authorities. Specialists from the Customs Office and the Criminal Investigation Office in Baden-Württemberg picked out nine containers and took them into custody.
Subsequent investigations pinpointed eight suspects aged 30-54 in Germany. Seven of them were arrested in late May and early June during widespread raids in various federal states and now are in remand prison. They are believed to have established numerous fake and mailbox companies to smuggle vast amounts of cocaine from South America.
The investigations were conducted by the Customs Criminal Office and Customs Investigation Office in Stuttgart, working together with the Criminal Investigation Office in Baden-Württemberg and a central office against organized crime located at the Prosecutor's Office in Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia. Among the suspects, according to investigators, are two entrepreneurs from Baden-Württemberg and North Rhine-Westphalia.
North Rhine-Westphalia's Justice Minister, Benjamin Limbach (Greens), stated during the presentation of the investigation results in Düsseldorf on Monday about a "major win" by German security agencies. The confiscation and destruction of such a large quantity of cocaine is a "strategic blow that weakens drug lords." These individuals made huge profits and threatened legitimate economic circles with their activities.
The authorities announced the seizure from the freight network on Friday, but only provided limited details. For more information, they referred to the press conference on Monday.
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- The security authority in Baden-Württemberg played a significant role in the seizure of over 35 metric tons of cocaine, with several containers being intercepted at the Port of Hamburg.
- The public prosecutor's office in Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, was instrumental in coordinating the investigation proceedings against the suspects involved in the cocaine trafficking from Ecuador and the Netherlands.
- The details of the coup against the cocaine trafficking ring were unveiled during a press conference in Düsseldorf, where North Rhine-Westphalia's Justice Minister praised the efforts of the German security authorities.
- The LKA (Länderkriminalamt, or State Criminal Police Office) in Baden-Württemberg, in collaboration with the Customs Investigation Office in Stuttgart, was one of the key players in uncovering the extensive cocaine smuggling operation.
- The investigation into the cocaine trafficking ring led to the arrest of eight individuals aged between 30 and 54 in various federal states, including North Rhine-Westphalia and Baden-Württemberg.
- The police in Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, played a crucial role in the arrest of the suspects, as well as the dismantling of their fake and mailbox companies, used to smuggle cocaine into Germany.
- The seizure of over 35 metric tons of cocaine from the freight network also had a significant impact in other countries, such as Rotterdam, Netherlands, where eleven more tons were confiscated.
- The authorities in Ecuador were also involved in the investigation, as tips from Colombian authorities led to the discovery of additional cocaine in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
- Further investigation proceedings are ongoing, with the authorities striving to dismantle the drug trafficking network and apprehend any remaining members involved in the cocaine smuggling operation.
- The seizure of such a large quantity of cocaine is a reminder that Germany remains a key target for drug traffickers, and law enforcement agencies will continue to work tirelessly to combat this threat to public safety and security.
