Albania Finds Huge Cocaine Haul Among Bananas

February 28, 201814:00
Albanian police have confiscated 613 kg of pure cocaine discovered in a banana container that came from Latin America.

 Newly appointed Albanian police chief Ardi Veliu on February 5. Photo: LSA

Albanian police chief Ardi Veliu on Wednesday said police had found more than 613 kilos of pure heroin hidden in a banana container from Colombia.

The drugs were transited through Malta and Italy before arriving at their destination, a fruit and vegetable trader in Albania, called Arbri Garden.

Police were surveying the merchandise for several days from February 19, when it reached Durres, up to February 28, when it reached its final destination.

Police did not say how they got the initial information about the merchandise.

They have estimated the market value of the cocaine at as much as 180 million euros.

However, European drugs reports from 2016 estimate that cocaine is being sold now for 46 to 91 euro per gram, indicating that the Albanian seizure is worth from 28 to 56 million euros.

Seizures of cocaine are not common in Albania. Until now, Albania has been known mainly as a major cannabis grower and exporter.

Albanian crime groups are also known for controlling some of the Afghan and Moroccan cannabis resin market.

The country is considered an important part of the Balkan route for Afghan and Pakistani heroin.

However, possible links between Albanian criminals and Latin America were emphasised lately, after a number of Albanians were killed in unknown circumstances in Central America countries.

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