Key Takeaways:
– Six Colombian “narco subs,” carrying 1,400 tons of drugs were intercepted on their way to Australia.
– The drug seizure is deemed as the largest by Colombia in transit.
– Operation “Orion” identified a new drug route from South America to Australia.
– Drug cartels are set to lose over $8.4 billion following the seizure.
An unprecedented multinational operation led by Colombian authorities has made the largest seizure of cocaine in transit in the country’s history. Six submarines, also known as “narco subs,” filled with 1,400 tons of drugs, were intercepted en route to Australia.
The Massive Interception
A total of over 60 countries collaborated in this operation. Team members hailed from the United States, Brazil, Spain, the Netherlands, and other nations, all committed to locating the vessels, which departed from Colombia carrying a precious cargo for the global narcotics trade.
As per the Colombian President Gustavo Petro, this seizure has set new standards in the history of the country’s combat against drug trafficking. The vessels were filled to the brim with illicit drugs, including 225 tons of cocaine and 128 tons of marijuana.
Behind Operation “Orion”
The operation ran from October 1 to November 14, as disclosed by Vice Admiral Orlando Enrique Grisales, chief of the naval operations staff for the Colombian Navy. The “narco subs” used were regarded as “increasingly sophisticated” and capable of completing a 10,000-mile journey without refueling.
In addition to halting the shipment, authorites unearthed a noteworthy new drug trafficking route. Spanning across the Pacific, the route connects South America with Australia. As a result of this seizure, drug cartels are estimated to lose more than $8.4 billion — a substantial financial blow.
Semisubmersible Seized
Among the boats intercepted was a semisubmersible carrying five tons of cocaine. The vessel, constructed predominantly from wood and fiberglass, was also headed towards Australia. Given the higher drug prices in Australia, this route is becoming increasingly attractive for drug cartell, despite the risks.
Initially, these vessels were employed primarily for smuggling drugs beyond Colombia’s borders before transferring them to bigger ships. However, these semisubmersibles, some of them fully submersible, have evolved over time, demonstrating intricate design and engineering capacities.
Australian Concerns
With the drug cartels seeming to target Australia more frequently, local authorities are on high alert. Australia has experienced a surge in cocaine use, coupled with record-high prices. This upward trend might be motivating drug trafficking organizations to risk long and perilous journeys to deliver their illicit cargo.
In summary, the successful international operation that led to the seizure of these ‘narco subs’ mean a significant victory in the ongoing war against drug trafficking. However, the discovery of the new route to Australia and the growing sophistication of these submarines also underscore that combating this global issue demands constant vigilance and cooperation between nations. The battle against drug cartels will continue to evolve in complexity as the opponents on both sides do the same.