European Drug Gangs Burying Cocaine Due to Low Wholesale Prices
Wholesale prices for cocaine have plummeted across much of Europe, prompting drug smugglers to attempt to manipulate the market.
In December, authorities in southwest Spain discovered two speed boats carrying large packages at the mouth of the Guadalquivir River.
- The boats traveled 60 km upriver to a farm in Coria del Río, on the fringes of Seville, protected by armed guards.
- A search of the farm uncovered two buried shipping containers holding seven metric tons of cocaine, valued at approximately 420 million euros.
A unique marking on one of the cocaine bricks featured a devil emoji playing the guitar.
No comment from the authorities on the reason behind burying the cocaine instead of selling it.
Author's note: Low prices force smugglers to manipulate the market.