Peru seizes two tons of cocaine in asparagus packages

Peruvian police display more than two tons of cocaine hidden in packages of asparagus destined for Amsterdam. Picture: Reuters

Peruvian police display more than two tons of cocaine hidden in packages of asparagus destined for Amsterdam. Picture: Reuters

Published Jan 13, 2017

Share

Lima - Peru found more than two tons of

cocaine hidden in packages of asparagus destined for Amsterdam,

and arrested a Serbian man and four Peruvians suspected of

running a smuggling operation from a gourmet food business,

authorities said on Thursday.

Two SUVs, $75 000 (about R1 million ) in cash and a Glock pistol were also

seized in the raid on the exporter's property on the outskirts

of Lima after intelligence work indicated criminal activity,

police and the attorney general's office said in a statement.

Peru is virtually tied with Colombia as the world's biggest

cocaine producer. Drug trafficking from Peruvian ports is

believed to have risen since a new law authorising the military

to shoot down drug-smuggling aircraft in the jungle was passed

in 2015. 

Reuters

Related Topics: