Colombia-led operation seizes world record 225 tonnes of cocaine, and uncovers new Australia trafficking route
GuardianNOV 23 2024
Colombian Navy Seizes Record 225-Tons of Cocaine
Above: Colombian Navy seizes tons of cocaine from a semi-submersible carrying 1,885 kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride in Narino, Colombia, on Nov. 12, 2023. Image copyright: Colombian Navy/Contributor/Anadolu via Getty Images
The Facts
A six-week international anti-narcotics operation involving 62 countries resulted in the seizure of 1.4K metric tons of drugs, including 225 tons of cocaine, the Colombian Navy said Wednesday.
The operation intercepted six semi-submersible vessels, with one that was discovered 2K kilometers southwest of Clipperton Island in the Pacific carrying five tons of cocaine bound for Australia.
The massive operation, codenamed "Orion," led to over 400 arrests and deprived drug cartels of approximately $8.5B in potential revenue. It also revealed new alliances between cartels from Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru with criminal groups from Europe and Oceania.
The Spin
Narrative A
The unprecedented international cooperation has dealt a significant blow to drug trafficking organizations, preventing thousands of deaths from overdoses and disrupting cartel profits through sophisticated maritime interdiction strategies. This is a big win.
Narrative B
This bust reveals the evolving sophistication of drug trafficking operations, which, coupled with Colombia's record cocaine production and soaring global demand, indicates that cartels are adapting faster than law enforcement can respond, particularly with cocaine potentially overtaking oil as Colombia's main export.
Metaculus Prediction
Articles on this story
Sign Up for Our Free NewslettersSign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up!
Sign Up Now!