U.S. Agents Seize 4 Tons of Cocaine Hidden Inside Lumber on Freighter
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TAMPA, Fla. — More than four tons of cocaine were discovered in hollowed-out Brazilian lumber bound for U.S. cities, federal authorities announced Wednesday.
An anonymous letter from Cali, Colombia, tipped drug agents that the freighter Amazon Sky would be smuggling the cocaine, which is expected to total 8,800 pounds, U.S. Atty. Robert Merkle said.
“If true, it would represent the largest cocaine seizure in U.S. history,” Merkle said. “We’re at 6,000 pounds and still counting.”
The largest previous seizure, found in picnic furniture in Port Everglades, was 8,700 pounds.
The cocaine is believed to have been imported by what U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents call the Cali Cartel.
The group “is a world-class competitor of the Medellin Cartel,” the violent Colombian gang responsible for up to 80% of U.S. cocaine imports, said Tom Cash, head of the Miami DEA office.
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