Cotonou, Benin - A large amount of drugs, concealed in a container which landed from Brazil, has been seized by the Benin Central Office for combating illicit drug trafficking (OCERTID), police sources in the economic capital of Benin told PANA here. The drugs which arrived Cotonou port since 23 May, were hidden in a container of water pipes and had passed unnoticed through the ports of Spain, Oman and Togo. Police officers had been monitoring the ship for several days until its berthing and waited till all formalities are completed before the seizure, the sources said.

Investigations are currently underway to determine the exact amount of the prohibited product, its exact nature and to catch the importers.

The clearing agents have already been arrested by the police.

Pana 09/06/2011