Colombian Navy Destroys Drug Labs, Seizes Cocaine and Smuggled Fuel

Colombia’s navy reported on Friday that it had dismantled numerous drug trafficking labs and seized over two tons of cocaine during operations in the southern Pacific region. The seizure also included more than 3,700 gallons of smuggled fuel, which helped prevent illicit economies from strengthening in the area.

Photos shared by the navy showed each seizure and some of the laboratories, with the cocaine found in small packages weighing about two pounds each. This interception prevented the drugs from reaching international markets, according to the navy.

Three crew members were arrested when the cocaine was seized; two were Ecuadorian nationals, while the nationality of the third was unspecified. Four individuals were captured when the smuggled fuel was seized. The navy stated that it continues to exercise maritime control to protect the country’s security and stability.

The agency did not specify if all seizures occurred simultaneously or across multiple operations. Another post highlighted a seizure of over 90 pounds of marijuana in Cartagena, a city in northern Colombia.

Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine producer, and relations between Washington, D.C., and Bogota have been strained due to U.S. accusations that the Colombian government has failed to contain increased cocaine production and imposed sanctions on President Gustavo Petro. Since September, a U.S. military campaign against drug-ferrying boats in South America’s Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea has resulted in over 100 deaths.

Recent major drug busts in Colombia include the seizure of more than 240 pounds of cocaine from a vessel in February, over two tons of cocaine from a speedboat in January, and 14 tons confiscated at its main Pacific port in November.