Portuguese police said the seized cocaine was of “high purity” and was on its way to several European countries, with an estimated value of 100 million euros.
Portuguese authorities seized 4.2 tons of cocaine hidden in a shipment of bananas from Colombia.
“This is the biggest cocaine seizure this year and among the largest in recent years,” said Victor Anñas, investigation coordinator of the Portuguese Judicial Police.
The shipment arrived at the Portuguese port of Setubal, 30 km from the capital, Lisbon, via a shipping container flying the Italian flag.
Portuguese police said the seized cocaine was of “high purity” and was on its way to several European countries, with an estimated value of 100 million euros.
Failing this cocaine smuggling operation would harm a large cocaine trafficking network in Europe, according to the Portuguese police description.
The operation was carried out with security cooperation between Colombia and several European countries.
The operation comes two weeks after the Italian authorities announced the seizure of two tons of cocaine near Sicily, and it is believed that it was thrown into the sea awaiting receipt by a second party.
