World

Colombia seizes 7 tons of cocaine in biggest bust since 2005

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Colombia National Police Chief, Gen. Rodolfo Palomino walks on seized packages of cocaine displayed for the press at a police base in the Caribbean seaport of Cartagena, Colombia, Thursday, April 10, 2014. Police say they seized about 7 tons of cocaine Wednesday in a container bound for the Netherlands' port of Rotterdam. (AP Photo/Felipe Caicedo) (The Associated Press)

Police officer stand guard over seized packages of cocaine displayed for the press at a police base in the Caribbean seaport of Cartagena, Colombia, Thursday, April 10, 2014. Police say they seized about 7 tons of cocaine Wednesday in a container bound for the Netherlands' port of Rotterdam. (AP Photo/Felipe Caicedo) (The Associated Press)

Colombian police intercepted 7 tons of cocaine headed to the Dutch port of Rotterdam in one of the biggest such busts in years.

The narcotics have a street value of at least $250 million and were found stashed in 6,900 tiny packages in a container in this Caribbean port city along with bottles of pineapple conserves. The packages were stamped with logos such as "Yamaha" and "KIA" indicating the various criminal gangs behind the shipment.

Rodolfo Palomino is the head of Colombia's national police and said it was the biggest seizure since 15 tons were found along the Pacific coast in 2005. Colombia is one of the world's largest producers of cocaine.