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Paraguay finds 4 tons of cocaine in Belgium sugar shipment

July 17, 2024

Authorities in Paraguay have announced the largest cocaine seizure in the country's history. Authorities found just over 4 metric tons of cocaine hidden amongst a sugar shipment that was set to sail for Belgium.

https://p.dw.com/p/4iOAk
An agent from Paraguay’s anti-drug agency, Senad, and an anti-drug dog inspect sacks of sugar at the port of Caacupemi in Asuncion, Paraguay, Tuesday, July 16, 2024.
Authorities found the cocaine hidden among a larger sugar shipmentImage: Jorge Saenz/AP Photo/picture alliance

Paraguay's anti-drug agency, Senad, announced the confiscation of 4,013 kilos of cocaine at the port in the capital Asuncion, saying it was hidden in sugar sacks that were set for delivery to Belgium. 

The more than four metric tons of cocaine would have a street value in Europe in the region of €220 million (roughly $240 million), Senad said in a statement on Tuesday

Europe and the US are the largest markets for cocaine originating in Latin America, generally in Colombia, Peru and Bolivia. 

The route to Europe via Paraguay, Argentina, or Brazil is increasing in significance, according to a recent UN report, as smugglers try to throw investigators off the scent.

Agents from Paraguay’s anti-drug agency, Senad, guard sacks of cocaine at the Senad headquarters after the drugs were seized at the port of Caacupemi in Asuncion, Paraguay, Tuesday, July 16, 2024.
Paraguay's president said he hoped the bust would send a message to smugglers trying to change up the Latin American ports they use to ship cocaine to EuropeImage: Jorge Saenz/AP Photo/picture alliance

President Pena says seizure 'sends a signal' to drug gangs

President Santiago Pena told journalists that the record discovery, made as part of "Operation Sweetness," added to a series of "very sad episodes" in Paraguay as narcotics smugglers seek to use the strategically located country more. 

He said he hoped that the seizure would disrupt the cocaine trade, and said police were trying to track down those responsible. 

"I think it sends a signal to organized gangs not to use Paraguay as transit; they're going to find authorities that are determined and working in a coordinated way," Pena said, promising further efforts to boost port security.

"Gangs are not going to be able to avoid all the controls that we are implementing," he said.

Agents from Paraguay’s anti-drug agency, Senad, guard sacks of cocaine at the Senad headquarters after the drugs were seized at the port of Caacupemi in Asuncion, Paraguay, Tuesday, July 16, 2024.
While the seizure is Paraguay's largest on record, Europe fairly frequently intercepts larger shipments still at the point of arrivalImage: Jorge Saenz/AP Photo/picture alliance

Record seizures at European ports last year

European ports seized more than 300 tons of cocaine last year, with a record 121 tons confiscated in Belgium's biggest port of Antwerp alone — a 10% increase on the previous year.

The vast port at Rotterdam in the Netherlands is another core point of entry for the contraband.

msh/lo (AP, dpa, EFE)