- Title: Peru seizes two tonnes of cocaine in asparagus packages
- Date: 13th January 2017
- Summary: LIMA, PERU (JANUARY 12, 2017) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** VARIOUS OF COCAINE SEIZURE FOUND IN ASPARAGUS PACKETS POLICE OFFICER GUARDING SEIZURE VARIOUS OF COCAINE AND US DOLLARS SEIZED IN OPERATION (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) POLICE GENERAL, HECTOR LOAYZA, SAYING: "Yesterday an operation was undertaken which saw the detention of six males, the most important being a Serbian national. The result was approximately two tonnes of cocaine hydrochloric was decommissioned." SEIZED COCAINE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) POLICE GENERAL, HECTOR LOAYZA, SAYING: "It (drugs trafficking operation) was directed by Serbians who were the financers. This Serbian (suspect) is one of the heads, he financed this because they had a main coordinator here. This coordinator was in charge of collecting the drug and providing security to transport it to the port." MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) POLICE GENERAL, HECTOR LOAYZA, SAYING: "The transportation was via a maritime route, it was via containers and hidden in packages of asparagus of which there were eight previous shipments so as to gauge if they would be intercepted. In this opportunity they transported the drugs which was fortunately intercepted." OFFICERS GUARDING SHIPMENT (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) POLICE GENERAL, HECTOR LOAYZA, SAYING: "With a destination in Europe, where a kilo in Belgium is $87,000 (US), valuing the drugs at $174 million." VARIOUS OF POLICE GUARDING SERBIAN SUSPECT, DAVID CUFAJ
- Embargoed: 27th January 2017 02:22
- Keywords: cocaine asparagus packets Hector Loayza
- Location: LIMA, PERU
- City: LIMA, PERU
- Country: Peru
- Topics: Crime/Law/Justice
- Reuters ID: LVA0015YS1TMR
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Peru found more than two tonnes 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 (January 12).
Two SUVs, $75,000 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.
"Yesterday an operation was consolidated which saw the detention of six males, the most important being a Serbian national. The result was approximately two tonnes of cocaine hydrochloric was decommissioned," said police general, Hector Loayza.
The drug network was reportedly finances by Serbian nationals, one of which was arrested in the operation.
"It (drugs trafficking operation) was directed by Serbians who were the financers. This Serbian (suspect) is one of the heads, he financed this because they had a main coordinator here. This coordinator was in charge of collecting the drug and providing security to transport it to the port," added Loayza.
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.
"The transportation was via a maritime route, it was via containers and hidden in packages of asparagus of which there were eight previous shipments so as to gage if they would be intercepted. In this opportunity they transported the drugs which was fortunately intercepted," said Loayza.
Officials estimate the street value of the cocaine seizure in Europe to top $170 million US.
"With a destination in Europe, where a kilo in Belgium is $87,000 (US), valuing the drugs at $174 million," added Loayza.
Peru is virtually tied with Colombia as the world's biggest cocaine producer. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2017. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None