Bolivia announces biggest-ever cocaine bust at nearly 9 tonnes

The drugs were likely destined for the Netherlands where their value would be estimated at some $526 million

Drugs hidden in wooden flooring materials found in a truck are displayed to the media, in Oruro, Bolivia, January 5, 2024. Bolivia Ministry of Communications/Handout via REUTERS

Bolivia announced a record cocaine seizure from the country's western Oruro department, officials said on Friday, giving the drugs a local street value of $224 million but nearly double that in Europe where the illicit cargo was likely headed.

Bolivian President Luis Arce described the roughly 8.8 tonne bust as the largest ever recorded in the South American country in a post on social media. He added the drugs were hidden in wooden flooring materials found in a truck, and were likely destined to the Netherlands where their value would be estimated at some $526 million.

The operation also included the arrest of four suspected drug traffickers, stemming from nine raids, according to officials.