Major Discovery in the Pacific Ocean
Colombian authorities have made a significant breakthrough in drug enforcement by uncovering a semi-submersible vessel, commonly known as a “narco submarine,” that was transporting cocaine toward Australia. This interception occurred during a global, six-week anti-narcotics operation in the Pacific. The coordinated effort involved Colombian forces collaborating with security officials from multiple countries to combat the international drug trade effectively.
Historic Cocaine Seizures
This operation reportedly led to the seizure of at least 225 tonnes of cocaine, marking what Colombian President Gustavo Petro called possibly the largest cocaine interception in the country’s history. The navy estimates that this single bust has prevented drug trafficking organizations from raking in at least $8.4 billion (€8 billion). The operation, dubbed “Operation Orion,” resulted in over 400 arrests not just for drug trafficking but also for illegal arms trading and migrant smuggling.
Interception of ‘Narco Submarines’
Among the six semi-submersible vessels intercepted during the operation, one was specifically heading towards Australia, intercepted around 2,000 kilometers southwest of Clipperton Island, a French coral atoll. Colombian officials noted that this was the third such vessel discovered in that region, highlighting a concerning trend in the drug trade. These narco submarines can travel vast distances—up to 16,000 kilometers—without needing to refuel.
Rising Cocaine Demand in Australia
The narco submarines constitute a new trafficking route, taking advantage of the high demand for cocaine in Australia, where the street price can reach up to $240,000 (€227,000) per kilogram—six times the price in the United States. According to data from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Australians lead the world in cocaine consumption per capita, followed by the United Kingdom.
Context of Cocaine Production in Colombia
The rise in the use of narco submarines reflects drug trafficking groups’ adaptive strategies to evade increasing maritime security measures. In the previous year alone, Colombia’s navy captured 10 narcotics submarines, amidst a broader struggle to curb cocaine production. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported a troubling trend, noting a 10% increase in land used for coca cultivation, resulting in a staggering 53% rise in potential cocaine production in 2023 compared to the previous year. The power vacuum left by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) following their peace agreement in 2016 has allowed rebel groups and drug gangs to regain control over these territories.
SOURCE: Ref Image from The National
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