Colombian Navy Seizes 450 Pounds Of Cocaine Hidden Beneath Europe-Bound Ship

The Colombian Navy has seized more than 450 pounds (over 200 kilograms) of cocaine during an underwater inspection of a merchant vessel preparing to depart for Europe from the Pacific port of Buenaventura, officials announced on Tuesday.

According to the navy, divers from the Buenaventura Coast Guard Station discovered seven sealed black bags inside the ship’s sea chest during a routine underwater sweep.

The bags were retrieved and brought to the surface, where sealed bricks were found inside. A rapid test confirmed that the substance was cocaine.

In a statement, the navy said the seizure prevented the distribution of more than 521,000 doses of narcotics and blocked over $10 million in potential criminal revenue.

Photographs released by the service showed divers recovering the packages underwater and dozens of bricks laid out on the dock for inspection.

This operation follows another major maritime enforcement action just days earlier, in which the navy confiscated more than seven tonnes of drugs from two speedboats and a semi-submersible vessel in the Pacific Ocean.

Officials released images and video from that mission showing packages stacked on the vessels and individuals surrendering in the water before being detained.

The latest seizures come amid rising tension between Colombia and the United States.

Last month, the Trump administration imposed sanctions on Colombian President Gustavo Petro and his family members, accusing his government of allowing drug cartels to operate with relative freedom.

The sanctions followed months of disputes over U.S. migrant deportations and American strikes on suspected drug-carrying boats off South America’s coast.

In an interview with CBS News in October, Petro claimed that some of those killed during the U.S. strikes were innocent civilians and argued that such actions violated international law.

He added that targeting low-level workers in the drug trade was easy, but capturing the leaders was what would be truly effective. The White House denied that civilians were killed.

Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine. Analysts say political and economic factors have led to rising production and falling prices.

Large amounts of the drug continue to be shipped to Europe, North America, and Australia, which are the most profitable markets. Europe may become an even bigger target as the U.S. increases airstrikes on northbound drug boats in the Pacific and Caribbean.

References: CBS News, ijr

Source: Maritime Shipping News