Costa Rican authorities seized 4.3 metric tons of cocaine that were hidden in a container with a shipment of ceramic arriving from Colombia, the government reported Sunday.

Central America serves as a bridge for the shipment of drugs from the producing countries of South America to the consumer markets of the United States and Europe.

Costa Rica draws the line: All pineapple shipments checked for drugs

Costa Rican authorities seized two tons of cocaine that were hidden in a container with a shipment of pineapples.

The intercepted ship was taken to the port of Quepos, in the South Pacific, where the ship was subjected to an inspection.

Costa Rica also figured in the data, accounting for 16% of the cocaine seized in Antwerp.

Michael Soto Rojas, the Minister of Public Security, said the effort — which involved MSP, National Police and the country's Air Surveillance Service — demonstrated the importance of cooperation between Costa Rica's police forces.

Police said the gang used a company that imported fruit from Costa Rica as a cover for its operations.

Costa Rican police detained a boat crewed by three Colombians and one Ecuadorian with a cargo of 690 kilos of cocaine, authorities said Tuesday.

Spanish police said Monday they have seized 67 kilograms of cocaine found inside dozens of hollowed-out pineapples at Madrid's main wholesale fruit and vegetable market.