Authorities in Peru made a significant drug bust this week, uncovering more than 9,400 kilograms of cocaine alkaloid hidden in a shipment of passion fruit pulp destined for Belgium. The discovery was made at the port of Callao by the National Superintendence of Customs and Tax Administration (Sunat) during routine but rigorous customs inspections.
The operation took place as part of “Operation Minka II,” an initiative focused on targeting suspicious cargo at Callao’s busy terminal. Customs officers flagged a container filled with over 100 cylinders labeled as passion fruit pulp for further scrutiny. With the help of sniffer dogs and advanced scanning technology, officials detected irregularities, prompting a deeper investigation alongside the Anti-Drugs Directorate (Dirandro) and the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Cocaine Disguised in Food Export
After a meticulous inspection, 41 out of 107 cylinders were found to contain cocaine, with a gross weight of 9,430 kilograms. Sunat confirmed that the shipment was likely linked to illicit drug trafficking, and the case has been handed over to the relevant authorities for further investigation.
Ongoing Efforts to Tackle Smuggling
Sunat highlighted that this successful intervention was the result of their strategic approach, using risk profiling and close collaboration with law enforcement. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing customs security across all transport channels—land, sea, air, and river—to combat the smuggling of drugs and other contraband.
Investigations are underway to identify the parties involved in the attempted export. Meanwhile, Sunat continues to emphasize its role in protecting the integrity of Peru’s trade operations and the national economy.
