A seizure of nearly 2,000 pounds of cocaine was the result of a joint international investigation that started in April. Spanish authorities became aware of a global group using maritime delivery containers to import cocaine from South America, using a professional fruit firm within the southern metropolis of Sevilla as cover. The use of these containers illustrates the recent changes in the ways traffickers have undertaken to move drugs across continents. Since 2006, maritime seizures that contain drugs have risen six-fold, with a very steep increase since 2010. Concealing contraband inside shipments of perishable items is a typical tactic as there are procedures to permit these to go through ports extra rapidly. This tactic is common among traffickers in North America because pungent odours from perishable items will mask drug odours and deter inquisitive customs officials.