Feds find 383 pounds of cocaine hidden in shipment of pumpkins

Ahh, the smells tastes and smells of fall: cloves, cinnamon, pumpkin, coke.

On September 17 federal agents at the Port of Philadelphia seized 383 pounds of cocaine hidden in a shipment of pumpkins and squash sent from Costa Rica.

Customs and Border Protection found the illicit cargo, which arrived on the ship M/V Santa Maria, after receiving a tip passed on by the DEA, a DEA special agent told AP. A test at the port confirmed that, yup, it was cocaine!

“This was a joint effort by everyone involved,” assistant port director for tactical operations Paul Nardella said at a press conference covered by Philly Mag, for some reason making a marijuana pun instead of a cocaine one.

No arrests were made, and CPB says that the haul was in thin packages that were attached to the sides of boxes of fruit. The agency also says this is the 8th-largest seizure of cocaine in the port’s history, and was worth about $6 million. No word on how much the pumpkins and squash are worth.

The shipment of seasonal gourds was ultimately destined for the Bronx. Bad news, New Yorkers: Fall just got a little less high energy. Better stick to your spiced lattes.

Ethan Chiel is a reporter for Fusion, writing mostly about the internet and technology. You can (and should) email him at [email protected]