Interpol is warning that drug dealers are using food delivery services in Ireland to transport drugs during the crisis.
Earlier this month eight kilos of cocaine was discovered hidden inside pizza boxes in Dublin.
Interpol says some delivery riders knowingly and willing delivery drugs, but that legitimate services have also been used as unwitting drug mules.
The international police force said it has received reports from police in Ireland, Malaysia, Spain and the United Kingdom identifying delivery drivers transporting cocaine, marijuana, ketamine and ecstasy.
In early April, the Spanish National Police identified and arrested seven people dressed as food delivery drivers in the Alicante and Valencia areas.
The suspects were caught delivering cocaine and marijuana by bicycle, motorbike and car.
Interpol said some of the drugs had been hidden inside a false bottom of home delivery backpacks.
Earlier this month, gardaí recovered eight kilos of cocaine as well as two handguns hidden in pizza boxes.
Based on these arrests, as well as incidents in other countries, Interpol said it has issued a ‘purple notice’ alerting its 194 member countries of this new modus operandi.
Purple notices provide information on objects, devices and concealment methods used by criminals.
📣 BREAKING: INTERPOL issues alert on dealers using food delivery services to avoid police detection when transporting drugs during COVID-19 lockdowns. https://t.co/IaM5cwNOeL
— INTERPOL (@INTERPOL_HQ) April 30, 2020
