$6M Worth Of Cocaine Found In Pumpkin Shipment At Port Of Philadelphia

A massive haul of cocaine—363 pounds— was found in a shipment of pumpkins and squash at Port of Philadelphia, the Department of Homeland Security said on Wednesday.

The seized cocaine has a street value of more than $6 million, officials said.

The drugs were “expertly disguised” amidst the seasonally themed produce, according to officials.

They were hidden in small laminated bags on the bottom of cardboard boxes containing the vegetables, said Paul Nardella, the Customs and Border Patrol Assistant Area Port Director with Homeland Security.

“The only way to find it is to inspect each and every box,” Nardella said. “It’s time consuming.

“Because of the efforts of the law enforcement you see here today, this cocaine will never reach the streets of our city,” a Homeland Security spokesperson said.

The drugs came into Philadelphia from Costa Rica aboard a motor vessel called the Santa Maria, and were headed for New York City.

No arrests have been announced. An investigation is ongoing.

This is a developing story. More information will be posted as it becomes available.