An unexpected scene unfolded in Ecuador when police discovered 1,000 pounds of cocaine bearing the image of Norwegian soccer star Erling Haaland hidden inside a truck near the Colombian border.
Authorities found 370 packages of cocaine concealed in a false compartment beneath the vehicle. Each package was decorated with a sticker featuring Haaland’s face, along with a football and World Cup imagery.
The seizure involved around 469 kilograms of cocaine, with an estimated street value of £14.5 million in Europe, according to authorities.
The truck was intercepted near Ecuador’s border with Colombia, and the driver was arrested following the discovery. Police have not indicated why the smugglers used Haaland’s image on the packages.
The Manchester City striker is one of football’s biggest global stars, having gained widespread attention for his performances and personality. The unusual branding on the drug packages added an unexpected twist to the major cocaine seizure.
