Police and customs officials at Rotterdam port have found 250 kilos of cocaine hidden in a consignment of bananas from Ecuador.

Five people were arrested in connection with the drugs haul, one of whom worked a the fruit company where the boxes of bananas were awaiting collection. Two other men worked at the company on temporary contracts, the public prosecution department said.

Police also found some €10,000 in cash, guns, tasers, a money-counting machine and jewelry after searching the suspects’ homes.

The five men, aged 20 to 47, come from Rotterdam and the surrounding area and have been remanded in custody for 14 days while the investigation continues.