No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeDrug traffickingSpain police seize tons of cocaine among pineapples shipped from Costa Rica...

Spain police seize tons of cocaine among pineapples shipped from Costa Rica

MADRID — Spanish police seized 2.5 tons of cocaine hidden among pineapples on a ship from Costa Rica in one of the biggest ever seizures of the drug, they said Wednesday.

The cocaine was stuffed in 2,296 packages hidden among the fruit in a shipping container that arrived at the Mediterranean port of Algeciras. It was tracked and seized later at a warehouse near Madrid, police said in a statement.

The authorities gave no estimate for the street value of the cocaine but online newspaper El Confidencial estimated it was worth over 150 million euros ($200 million).

“This is one of the biggest seizures carried out in European Union ports,” the police statement said.

Police arrested six people in the Madrid suburb of Valdemoro, where the alleged drug traffickers are accused of storing the cocaine in a warehouse.

The authorities located the drug shipment in Algeciras thanks to a tip-off and tailed traffickers as they transported the cocaine to the warehouse.

Spain’s close ties to Latin America have made it the key entry point for cocaine from the continent bound for Europe.

Roughly 4.5 metric tons of cocaine with ties to Costa Rican has been seized in the last 24 hours, Public Security Minister Mario Zamora said.

 

Trending Now

Costa Rica Again Included on U.S. Major Drug Transit List

Costa Rica has again been included on the United States’ annual list of countries considered major routes or sources for illegal drugs entering the...

National Geographic Spotlights the Bribri Community That Grows Cacao by Hand

A National Geographic Traveller feature has put international attention on Yorkín, a Bribri community in the Talamanca Mountains of southeastern Costa Rica, and on...

Panama repeats China invitation to Canal Neutrality Treaty

Panama’s government again asked the People’s Republic of China to accede to the protocol of the Treaty Concerning the Permanent Neutrality and Operation of...

Nicaraguan Journalist Luis Galeano Detained by ICE in Florida

U.S. immigration authorities arrested a Nicaraguan journalist on Monday who is critical of the government of Daniel Ortega and has been living in exile...

Why the Same Costa Rica Highways Keep Washing Out

Costa Rica has spent more than ₡86 billion patching and rebuilding roads after floods, slides, and storm damage — and the Comptroller General says...

Part of alleged Costa Rica data leak is real. Here’s how to protect yourself

Authorities confirm part of a sample of leaked data on people in Costa Rica is real. The source is still unknown. Here is what you should do now.

A Special Season to Rediscover Río Celeste

Hideaway Río Celeste, a 5-star hotel that combines the beauty of nature with the allure and wellness of Río Celeste Its Kantala restaurant is open...

Costa Rica Courts Say Child Support Must Track the Dollar

If you earn in dollars and pay child support in colones, Costa Rican appeals judges say the court can no longer treat the exchange...

Teachers’ union takes Cartago protest exclusion to Costa Rica’s top court

Police defended Cartago's security perimeter as a teachers' union filed a court appeal over its exclusion from the ceremony.
🌴 The Weekly Pura Vida

Costa Rica, Once a Week

The week's top stories, weather & insider tips — delivered every Sunday. One email, zero clutter.

🔒 Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Loading…

Latest News from Costa Rica

Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Car Rentals
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel