In the biggest cocaine seizure in Germany's history, investigators have confiscated cocaine valued at 2.6 billion euros ($2.78 billion) from several container ships and arrested seven individuals. The operation was initiated following a tip from Colombian authorities and involved the seizure of 35.5 metric tons (39 U.S. tons) of cocaine.

Prosecutors in Duesseldorf disclosed that last year, 25 tons of cocaine were discovered in the port of Hamburg, with an additional 8 tons found in the Dutch port of Rotterdam and nearly 3 tons in Colombia. These significant quantities of illicit drugs had been meticulously concealed amidst shipments of fruit and vegetables.

The suspects, whose ages range from 30 to 54, were apprehended in recent weeks. They are believed to be responsible for orchestrating the smuggling operation. The seven individuals, comprising German, Azerbaijani, Bulgarian, Moroccan, Turkish, and Ukrainian nationals, are accused of organizing the transportation of 10 sea containers of cocaine from Latin America to Europe between April and September 2023. The prosecutors further suggest the existence of unidentified accomplices residing in Turkey, who aided in the operation via front companies established for this purpose.

Benjamin Limbach, the state justice minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, expressed his satisfaction with the colossal cocaine bust during a news conference in Duesseldorf. Limbach hailed the operation as a significant blow to international organized crime, describing it as a "precise punch in the jaw that hurts the drug lords."

The seizure of such an enormous quantity of illicit narcotics demonstrates the scale of the global drug trade and the lengths criminals go to ensure their illicit cargo reaches its intended destinations. German authorities, in collaboration with international partners, remain vigilant in their efforts to disrupt and dismantle these criminal networks that profit from trafficking harmful substances.

This substantial haul of cocaine not only serves as a strong message to drug cartels but also highlights the importance of international cooperation in combating the nefarious activities of organized crime groups. The successful operation undoubtedly saves countless lives by preventing these dangerous drugs from reaching vulnerable communities.