German authorities seize large cocaine shipment from Brazil

BERLIN: German port authorities say they've seized 2 million euros ($2.3 million) in cocaine packed among industrial machinery being shipped from Brazil.

The Hamburg customs office said Thursday that 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of extremely pure cocaine would likely have been cut by dealers and turned into about 30 kilograms for sale on the streets.

It was discovered last week and the ship has been seized to be thoroughly searched in case more drugs are hidden elsewhere.

The cocaine was packed tightly into one-kilogram bundles and hidden behind a panel on one of some 30 construction vehicles on board.

Authorities say they're still investigating to try to determine who was behind the smuggling attempt.

The ship's final destination was Antwerp, Belgium.