The Colombian navy says it has intercepted the largest drug submarine in the country’s history in the Pacific Ocean. More than three tons of cocaine were seized. The 100-foot ship was bound for Central America – a major transit route for drug smuggling to the US.
The found drugs have a black market value of almost 95 million euros, the Colombian navy announced on Friday. The so-called semi-submersible boat was stopped on Tuesday on its way to Central America. On the coasts of Colombia – the country is considered the largest producer of cocaine in the world – submarines carrying drug supplies are repeatedly seized.
Crew faces up to 14 years in prison
The three crew members of the semi-submersible – all Colombians – have been arrested and face 14 years in prison. The men say they were forced by an organization to join the smuggling tour. As Colombia’s attorney general announced on Saturday, the navy also stopped two boats in the Gulf of Morrosquillo on which about two tons of cocaine were found.
Record amount of cocaine seized
Last year Colombia seized more cocaine than any year before. Security forces seized a whopping 671 tons of the drug in 2022, surpassing the 2021 figure by about 1.7 tons.
Cocaine production and trafficking is considered the main cause of an armed conflict in Colombia that has now lasted nearly six decades and has so far claimed more than 450,000 lives and millions of people displaced.
Source: Krone
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