Brazilian authorities have seized approximately 340 kilograms of cocaine from the Liberia-flagged bulk carrier Green K-Max 1 during a large-scale anti-smuggling operation in the Port of Santos.
The joint operation involved the Brazilian Federal Police, the Brazilian Navy, the Federal Revenue Service, and the Port of Santos administration. According to officials, the raid was launched based on intelligence data and ongoing risk monitoring within Brazil’s largest port.
Suspicion arose after crew members aboard the vessel noticed a small suspicious boat operating near the ship, which was preparing to depart for Poland. The crew alerted authorities, prompting divers from the Brazilian Navy and police units to conduct an underwater inspection of the hull.
Several packages containing cocaine were discovered hidden inside an underwater compartment of the 80,900-ton bulk carrier. Officials stated that the operation was technically challenging due to the location of the drugs, which required divers to access concealed areas below the waterline.
Authorities noted that underwater compartments remain one of the preferred methods used by international drug trafficking networks to smuggle cocaine aboard commercial vessels bound for Europe. The Port of Santos is considered one of the main export routes for cocaine shipments from South America.
Following the seizure, the narcotics were transferred to the Federal Police headquarters in Santos for forensic examination.
Brazilian authorities have launched an investigation to identify all individuals involved in the international drug trafficking operation. Surveillance and monitoring measures in the Port of Santos have also been intensified as part of ongoing anti-smuggling efforts.
