The value of the cocaine found by Latvian authorities in boxes with bananas is estimated at EUR 30 million, as confirmed by Latvian State Police Public Relations Office manager Simona Grāvīte.
Laboratory tests to determine the exact size of the intercepted shipment of narcotic substances continues. What is known so far, however, is that the quality of narcotics found in banana boxes is very high.
Last year police in Latvia told the media that this specific shipment of bananas was received from South America and was intended for sale not only in Latvia but other countries as well. Police did not mention at the time, Grāvīte confirmed that last year cocaine stashes in banana boxes were found by authorities in Poland and Czechia as well.
As previously reported, there are multiple different versions considered for the intercepted cocaine shipment in Latvia. It is very likely that the delivery of the compromised shipment to retailers was a logistical mistake.
On 23 December police received information from Maxima security service, who reported finding packages containing a white powder substance hidden inside boxes with bananas.
Police took action together with their colleagues across Latvia and confiscated 168 boxes containing said white powder substance.
In the last nine years Latvian authorities have intercepted several large cocaine shipments.
On 8 January 2019 police found carton boxes containing cocaine within the territory of some private home. The boxes were sent from Ecuador. A group of people had organised the smuggling of 1 758 kg of cocaine to Latvia by hiding it in boxes containing bananas. Criminal Police Chief Andrejs Grišins told the media the total worth of the intercepted cocaine amount if approximately EUR 65 million.
The value of cocaine on the street may increase several times, which means the total value may reach EUR 1 billion.
At the time the police announced that the shipment intercepted in Koknese was not meant for sale in Latvia.
Several people are suspects in this case. The case is being viewed in a court of first instance. This is so far the biggest shipment of narcotics intercepted by authorities in Latvia.
In April 2016 officials of State Revenue Service (VID) found charcoal packages in some warehouse in Riga. According to accompanying documents, the coal was imported from Paraguay. In those packages VID officials found 31.19 kg of cocaine. Two Latvian citizens are accused in this criminal case.
Value of cocaine found in banana boxes in Latvia estimated at EUR 30 million
