Prosecutors suspend probe into cocaine seizure at Swiss Nespresso factory

The drugs were discovered at the Romont Nespresso factory by workers unloading bags of coffee beans on May 2 and the police were informed immediately. A subsequent search of five shipping containers turned up more than 500kg of cocaine. KEYSTONE

Swiss prosecutors have issued a stay of proceedings suspending an investigation into the seizure last year of over 500kg of cocaine concealed in a container shipped from Brazil to the Nespresso factory in the town of Romont in western Switzerland.

Proceedings may be resumed if new facts emerge, the Office of the Attorney General of canton Fribourg said on Wednesday. It had opened an investigation in May 2022.

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The cocaine was not destined for Nespresso, the office said. It was without the company’s knowledge that the drug was introduced into the shipment, the statement said. “In all likelihood, the drugs should have been unloaded between Antwerp and Romont,” it said.

However, the operation could not be carried out for an unknown reason. The identification of the people involved in this transport has therefore remained fruitless to date.

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Despite the stay of proceedings, investigations are still being carried out under the jurisdiction of the Brazilian judicial authorities.

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