Six Arrested in Germany for Smuggling Cocaine Hidden in Teakwood Beams

Authorities intercepted 64 kilograms of cocaine at the Hamburg port and tracked the shipment to suspects in Berlin and Essen.

German police detained six suspects, aged 27 to 59, in coordinated raids in Berlin and Essen following the discovery of cocaine hidden in teakwood beams.
The shipment, originating from Costa Rica, was ordered by a Berlin-based construction company, whose two executives are among the arrested suspects.
Customs officials found 64 kilograms of cocaine concealed in the timber at the Hamburg port in December 2024 and allowed the drug-free shipment to continue under surveillance.
Raids on properties in Berlin, Bochum, and Gladbeck uncovered additional evidence, including mobile phones and documents linked to the smuggling operation.
The case highlights the increasing volume of global cocaine trafficking, with Germany frequently intercepting substantial drug shipments, particularly at the Hamburg port.