3 arrested in U.K. after nearly $100 million worth of cocaine found hidden in bananas
CBS News • • general
Key Points:
- Three individuals—Joshua Berry, Daniel Dumitru, and Andrew Smyth—have been charged in the UK for allegedly attempting to traffic nearly $100 million worth of cocaine concealed in a container of bananas.
- The arrests followed the seizure of over 2,000 pounds (approximately 1 ton) of cocaine at Southampton Docks, hidden inside a shipment that originated from Nicaragua and arrived via Panama.
- The cocaine's street value is estimated at about 75 million British pounds (roughly $98.9 million), and the accused face potential life sentences if convicted under UK law.
- Authorities highlighted that hiding cocaine in banana shipments is a common tactic, with recent seizures reported in multiple countries including Russia, Norway, and the Dominican Republic.
- The National Crime Agency emphasized that the seizure disrupts significant criminal profits and prevents further offenses linked to the drug importation.
