Greece Seizes 93 Kilograms of Cocaine

Customs agents in Thessaloniki, Greece, seized approximately 93 kilograms (205 pounds) of cocaine concealed within a banana shipment from Ecuador, with an estimated street value exceeding 2.9 million euros ($3.16 million). The cocaine was discovered using X-ray technology in the cooling mechanism of a shipping container, which was destined for Romania. This discovery is part of a broader trend, as cocaine has been increasingly found hidden in banana shipments globally, including significant seizures in the UK, Netherlands, and Bulgaria over recent months. Concurrently, Ecuadorian authorities reported seizing nearly 729 kilograms of cocaine from an abandoned boat in Manabí, with an estimated value of up to $29.1 million in Europe. Ecuador, a key transit point for cocaine, has seen a surge in drug seizures, accumulating nearly 149 tons in the first half of the year. The investigations into these drug trafficking operations continue as authorities aim to track down the intended recipients.