Overview

• The haul represents one of the largest drug interceptions in Duisburg in recent years, with an estimated street value of €35 million.
• Harbor workers first found roughly 55 kilograms of cocaine inside a 1,000-kg Bigpack of Brazilian pre-alloy material, leading customs teams to uncover the remaining 450 kilograms.
• Germany’s cocaine seizures have surged from 8 tons in 2017 to 45 tons in 2023, reflecting escalating trafficking through major ports.
• In comparison, the Duisburg main customs office secured just 19 kilograms of cocaine and heroin during the entirety of 2024, underscoring the scale of this bust.
• Authorities warn that smugglers are increasingly hiding drugs among legitimate goods such as steel additives, bananas and other bulk shipments bound for Europe.