Italian authorities have cracked down on another major international drug trafficking case, seizing 770 kilograms of "extra pure" cocaine at the port of Vado Ligure, in northwestern Italy.
The operation was carried out by the Italian Financial Police (Guardia di Finanza) in collaboration with customs authorities. According to the official announcement, the large quantity of cocaine was carefully hidden inside a refrigerated container, among dozens of pallets of bananas.
The container had arrived from one of Ecuador's main ports, and authorities' checks revealed the illegal cargo.
According to Italian police estimates, the seized drugs would have a value of around 250 million euros on the black market.
Authorities have described the operation as one of the most important strikes against drug trafficking in the port of Vado Ligure in recent years.
This is the second major operation in a few weeks at the same port. Less than three weeks ago, law enforcement seized another 340 kilograms of cocaine, with an estimated value of around 120 million euros on the illegal market.
Investigations continue to uncover the criminal network behind the drug transport and the final destination of the shipment.
