2023-10-11 00:25:32
With the interception of a semi-submersible in the waters of the municipality of Tumaco, in Nariño, the Navy recorded the 20th seizure of this type of vessel used by drug trafficking to export drugs, so far this year.
The Institution reported this Tuesday that the semi-submersible was sailing through the South Pacific, apparently heading towards Central America, when “it presented a leak of water and excessive toxic smoke.”
The coast guard had to rescue the occupants, aged 33, 50 and 57, before they died of poisoning or drowning. Now they will have to answer to justice for narcotics trafficking.
The vessel was transporting 204 packages with 3,300 rectangular packages, which contained 3.3 tons of cocaine.
According to the Navy, “it would be marketed in more than 8,000 doses of the illicit substance, with an estimated value of more than 111 million dollars.”
So far in 2023, sailors have intercepted 20 semi-submersibles, which not only reflects high effectiveness in terms of interdiction, but also an increase in drug traffickers’ exports through this system.
This phenomenon is associated with a 13% increase in coca crops between 2021 and 2022, going from 204,000 to 230,000 hectares, according to the most recent illicit crop monitoring report from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. (Unodc).
The Navy stated that the 20 semi-submersibles contained 30 tons of cocaine and 5 tons of marijuana. They all fell on the Pacific Ocean route.
In May of this year, the largest one, 30 meters long and three meters wide, was intercepted. It was transporting three crew members and 3 tons of cocaine.
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