U.S. Customs and Border Protection discovered more than $6 million worth of cocaine hidden in cases of Costa Rican pumpkins and squash at the Port of Philadelphia last week.
United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized 164.7 kilograms (363.1 pounds) of cocaine with a street value of over $6 million at the Port of Philadelphia last week, according to a statement from the agency.
The cocaine, which was discovered hidden in cases of Costa Rican pumpkins and squash, was shaped in 384 long, thin packages that were laminated to the inside of the fruit case box flaps.
The cases of fruit, which were destined for a distributor in the Bronx, N.Y., arrived aboard the Isabella Shipping operated Santa Maria, a 9,500-dwt refrigerated cargo ship registered in Liberia.
According to ocean carrier schedule and capacity database BlueWater Reporting, the Santa Maria operates on Isabella Shipping’s service between Turbo, Puerto Limon and Philadelphia. The service, which has a total rotation time of 12 days, operates with one additional vessel, the Santa Lucia.
The seizure was the CBP’s eighth largest seizure ever at the Port of Philadelphia. CBP said no arrests have been made and the investigation is still in progress.
CBP seizes over 363 pounds of cocaine at Port of Philadelphia
