Costa Rica seizes 5 tons of cocaine headed for Netherlands

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica – Costa Rican officials say they have seized more than 5 tons of cocaine, the largest such haul in the Central American country’s history.

The Public Security Ministry said the 5,048 kilograms (11,128 pounds) of cocaine were found Saturday evening in a shipping container at the Caribbean port of Moin. The container, supposedly holding ornamental plants, destined for Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

Costa Rican officials last year reporting seizing 45.7 tons of cocaine, but the largest individual seizures never topped 2 tons.

Police said that as of Sunday, the only person detained in connection with the new seizure was a 46-year-old Costa Rican who had driven the shipment to the port.

GSG