Authorities say drug smugglers tried to use pumpkins and squash to ship an estimated $6 million worth of cocaine into Philadelphia.

Investigators found the drugs laminated in little pouches, hidden away in boxes of fruit.The shipment made it to the Port of Philadelphia from Costa Rica.

“We’re dealing with sophisticated folks, so you usually have to dig into the middle of the back end of the container to find the product,” said John Kelleghan, with Homeland Security.

The 363 pounds of cocaine is one of the largest busts ever at the port.

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Peggy Harris (foreground) stocks the shelves at Sandy's IGA, which is the only grocery store in town, Tuesday, October 7, 2025, in Sparta. Hancock County has one of the highest rates of childhood food insecurity in the country. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC