UKRAINE - It pains me to bring more news of criminal activity surrounding our precious fresh produce this week. With officials intercepting a fruit shipment at the Odesa port in Ukraine, this drug bust marks the country’s biggest in 2020.

According to the news source Kyiv Post, nearly 112 kilograms of cocaine were discovered hidden within a freight container full of bananas from Ecuador. Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service reported that 100 packages of the drug were uncovered, amounting to the cumulative value of $17 million.

The news source went on to note that this is at least the third time in 2020 that cocaine has been discovered at the Odesa port hidden within a shipment of bananas arriving from South America.

As always, we at AndNowUKnow extend our deepest gratitude to the border officials who continue to protect our fresh fruits and vegetables.