Authorities in the Dominican Republic announced on Friday that they confiscated nearly 9.5 tonnes of cocaine, the largest drug seizure in the country’s history.
The 250 million dollars (£195 million) worth of drugs were found nestled inside a banana shipment that arrived at the Caucedo port in the capital of Santo Domingo, the country’s most important seaport.
The shipment had been sent from Guatemala and was destined for Belgium, said Carlos Devers, spokesman for the Dominican Republic’s Anti-Drug Agency.
Ten suspects have been detained, he said at a press conference.
Authorities so far this year have seized nearly 47 tonnes of drugs.
The second biggest seizure on record was reported in 2006, when officials found more than 5,680 pounds at the Caucedo port.
The Dominican Republic has long been considered a major drug transit point.
Dominican Republic seizes record 9.5 tonnes of cocaine
Train derails near Lewes railway station, trapping passengers in carriages
A train derailed near Lewes station in East Sussex at approximately 3.55pm, prompting emergency services to respond. Three of the train’s eight carriages overturned, trapping
Commuters advised to check travel plans as heat alert issues ahead of 38°C temperatures
The fifth heatwave of the season has begun, with temperatures set to reach 38°C in parts of the UK. The Met Office issued an amber