Dutch customs seized 400 kilograms of cocaine hidden in bananas coming from Ecuador
Dutch customs authorities seized 400 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a pallet of bananas at the port of Vlissingen on March 6. Officials confirmed the drugs arrived aboard a cargo ship from Ecuador and were destroyed after the discovery.
The operation was carried out during a routine inspection triggered by a customs risk analysis. According to the Openbaar Ministerie (Public Prosecution Service), officers discovered the drugs concealed within a pallet of bananas during checks on the incoming vessel.
Authorities confirmed that the shipment originated in Ecuador and that the cocaine was immediately confiscated and destroyed. The discovery highlights ongoing attempts by international smuggling networks to hide narcotics inside legitimate cargo shipments.
Although the number of seizures in Vlissingen declined last year compared with 2024, officials warn this does not necessarily indicate a decrease in drug trafficking. In 2024, nearly 9,600 kilograms of cocaine were discovered in Vlissingen, while just over 7,000 kilograms were seized in 2025, with both years recording twelve separate interceptions.
Similar trends were observed at Rotterdam and Schiphol Airport, where the total amount of confiscated cocaine also declined. Authorities believe the lower quantities may reflect changing tactics among criminal groups rather than reduced smuggling activity.
Customs officials say traffickers are adapting to stricter inspections by using different routes, ports, and smuggling methods. In some cases, shipments are becoming smaller to reduce potential losses if authorities intercept them.
Most cocaine intercepted in 2025 originated from Latin America, particularly from shipments departing Ecuador and Brazil. Dutch customs have strengthened cooperation with these countries, and many shipments intended for Europe are now being intercepted earlier during transit stops along the West African coast.