Italy’s Guardia di Finanza police made a significant drug seizure on Tuesday when they discovered approximately 2,700 kg of highly pure cocaine hidden within two refrigerated containers filled with bananas from Ecuador. The contraband, valued at over 800 million euros ($880 million), was uncovered at the port of Gioia Tauro in Calabria, located in southern Italy.
This find adds to the recent success of Italian authorities, who, in the past few days, had already seized an additional 600 kg (1,320 pounds) of cocaine concealed in fruit containers from Ecuador that were en route to various destinations including Italy, Croatia, Greece, and Georgia. The origin of the confiscated shipment was traced back to Guayaquil, Ecuador, and it had traveled through the Black Sea port of Batumi in Georgia before reaching its final destination in Italy. These discoveries have shed light on the ongoing issue of drug trafficking, particularly the involvement of the ‘Ndrangheta, a prominent mafia organization based in Calabria.
Over time, the ‘Ndrangheta has surpassed Sicily’s Cosa Nostra to become Italy’s most dominant criminal group, exerting a significant influence over the illicit drug trade. The seizure of such a substantial quantity of cocaine represents a significant blow to the criminal networks involved and underscores the diligent efforts of Italian law enforcement agencies in combating drug smuggling. The successful interception of these illegal shipments highlights the importance of international cooperation in addressing the global narcotics trade and disrupting the activities of organized crime syndicates.