November 28th 2024.
Authorities in Colombia have reported the successful capture of six so-called "narco subs" that were filled with cocaine as part of a large-scale international anti-drug operation. This mission, which involved cooperation from 62 countries, resulted in the seizure of over 1,400 metric tonnes of drugs, with the majority being marijuana. According to Vice Admiral Orlando Enrique Grisales, the Colombian Navy's chief of naval operations staff, this operation took place between October 1st and November 14th.
Out of the confiscated drugs, 225 metric tonnes were cocaine. Five tonnes of this cocaine were found on a semi-submersible vessel that was traveling a known marine trafficking route from Colombia to Australia. Grisales shared that the estimated street value of the cocaine onboard is a staggering $1.5 billion if it had reached Australian shores. The vessel, which was intercepted in the Pacific Ocean, had enough fuel to reach Australia. This was the third narco sub that was intercepted on this particular route, according to Grisales.
The Vice Admiral also revealed that the first narco sub was discovered in Colombian waters, and it provided authorities with valuable information about the route. This allowed them to collaborate with Australian authorities and work towards intercepting the drugs before they reached their destination. However, Australian police declined to comment on this successful operation.
In recent years, Australian police have warned that the country has become a prime target for international drug cartels. The combination of a rise in cocaine use and high street prices has created a highly profitable illicit market. This is not the first time that narco subs have been seized by authorities. They first appeared in the late 1990s when Colombian cartels began using them as a means to evade US law enforcement patrols in the Caribbean Sea and transport their illegal cargo into the United States.
The 225-tonne seizure of cocaine is a significant achievement in the fight against drug trafficking. In fact, in a report released this year, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime stated that in 2022, global cocaine production reached a record high of 2,700 tons. This highlights the importance of international cooperation in combating this global issue.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
