Berlin-area Aldi Stores Find 850 Pounds of Cocaine in Banana Boxes
BERLIN, May 4 (UPI) — These boxes of bananas were loaded with more than just potassium.
German police said workers at 13 Berlin-area Aldi stores made a most unappealing discovery — 850 pounds of cocaine hidden in boxes of bananas.
Berlin police announced Monday a total 850 pounds of cocaine, worth an estimated $16.7 million, was found stashed in boxes of bananas delivered to 13 Aldi stores in the Berlin-Brandenburg area and investigators said shipments at other stores are being searched for further narcotics.
Police said store employees unpacking the produce found the cocaine wrapped in black foil packages among the bananas and reported the discoveries to authorities.
The origin of the shipment was not revealed by police Monday.
Packages of cocaine totaling about 300 pounds were found in bananas delivered to Berlin-area Aldi stores in a similar case in January 2014. Investigators said the traffickers made a “logistical error” in the 2014 case that led to the cocaine, which originated from Colombia, being delivered to the stores instead of being intercepted by members of their organization.
