Customs officials have found 600 kilos of cocaine hidden in a container of classic cars at Rotterdam port. The drugs have a street value of some €45 million, officials said.

The container originated in the US and came to Rotterdam via Panama. Its final destination was Switzerland, the public prosecution department said in a short statement.

Last year customs officials found almost 60 tonnes of cocaine in Dutch ports and airports, up some nine tonnes on 2022.

Drugs are often shipped in containers carrying fruit or other foodstuffs.  Last Tuesday, 1.1 tonnes of cocaine was found in Rotterdam, hidden in a consignment of pineapples from Costa Rica.