CRIME
Colombian And US Authorities Seize 3.7 Tons Of Cocaine After Boat Chase In Caribbean
Colombian Navy
Colombian and U.S. authorities announced the seizure of nearly 3.7 tons of cocaine from a speedboat in the Caribbean Sea on Sunday.
The interdiction announced on Tuesday was carried out in a joint operation between the Colombian Navy, the Colombian Air Force and the Joint Interagency Task Force of the United States Southern Command.
Aerial video shared by the Colombian Navy shows military ships and planes chasing a suspicious speedboat near San Andrés Isla for several miles on Sunday. The crew carried out evasive actions, including throwing packages into the water, the navy said.
The boat was ultimately intercepted and taken to dock at the San Andrés Coast Guard Station, where authorities recovered 3,355 kilograms, or nearly 3.7 tons of cocaine worth an estimated $113 million.
Thanks to the seizure, more than eight million doses will not reach the streets of different countries, thus avoiding the impact on public health, the Colombian Navy said.
The boat was crewed by five people, including three Colombians, one Honduran and one Venezuelan. The suspects, boat and cocaine were turned over to Colombia’s attorney general’s office, the navy said.
The U.S. Joint Interagency Task Force South wrote about the seizure Tuesday on X, formerly Twitter, congratulating their counterparts on the bust.
When the Joint Operating Area is 42 million square miles, it helps to have great partnerships in the fight against illicit trafficking, the task force wrote. Great job team!
TMX contributed to this article.
