COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) – Authorities in Latvia have confiscated two tons of cocaine with a street value of a billion euros ($1.15 billion), the largest seizure ever in the Baltic country.
Criminal Police Chief Andrejs Grisins told the Baltic News Agency that the drug, which originated from Ecuador, was hidden in 42 cardboard boxes in Koknese, a town some 90 kilometres (56 miles) southwest of Riga.
Grisnis said five Latvian citizens were detained, including one with a previous conviction for smuggling and money laundering.
He told the news agency Monday the drug was not intended for the Latvian market but did not say where it was headed.
He added the shipment was found Jan. 8 in cooperation with U.S. and Ecuadorian authorities.