Soldiers with the Apolo Task Force of the Army’s Third Division seized three tons of chemicals that could produce 5,000 kilograms of cocaine along with four suspects in connection with the find, the Colombian National Army reported on its website on February 16.
Soldiers with the Apolo Task Force of the Army’s Third Division seized three tons of chemicals that could produce 5,000 kilograms of cocaine along with four suspects in connection with the find, the Colombian National Army reported on its website on February 16.
Soldiers found the chemicals in two trucks during a traffic stop in the southern region of the Department of Valle del Cauca. The vehicles, which were traveling from the city of Cali to the municipality of Jamundí, were carrying 500 kilograms of caustic soda, 1,000 kilograms of calcium chloride and 500 kilograms of sodium metabisulfite, among other chemicals and equipment used to produce cocaine.
The Colombian Army did not immediately disclose which narcotrafficking or terrorist organization owned the chemicals. The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN) both engage in drug trafficking to finance their terrorist activities.
The successful operation occurred less than a week after the Third Division discovered and dismantled two cocaine-producing laboratories.
In one of those operations, Troops with the Pegaso Task Force confiscated 4,825 gallons of coca base and 150 kilograms of coca leaves and other supplies at a site that was operated by the FARC’s Daniel Aldana Front in the municipality of Tumaco in the Department of Nariño.
In the other, Soldiers with the Apolo Task Force found a laboratory in Jamundí. The facility contained 240 gallons of coca leaves that were in the process of being turned into cocaine and 25 kilograms of urea – an ingredient used to create cocaine from coca leaves – among other supplies. The Army did not disclose which organization allegedly operated the laboratory or whether Troops captured any suspects.
The Army has eradicated 500,000 coca plants and destroyed 19 clandestine drug-producing laboratories in Jamundí so far this year.
Soldiers with the Apolo Task Force of the Army’s Third Division seized three tons of chemicals that could produce 5,000 kilograms of cocaine along with four suspects in connection with the find, the Colombian National Army reported on its website on February 16.
Soldiers found the chemicals in two trucks during a traffic stop in the southern region of the Department of Valle del Cauca. The vehicles, which were traveling from the city of Cali to the municipality of Jamundí, were carrying 500 kilograms of caustic soda, 1,000 kilograms of calcium chloride and 500 kilograms of sodium metabisulfite, among other chemicals and equipment used to produce cocaine.
The Colombian Army did not immediately disclose which narcotrafficking or terrorist organization owned the chemicals. The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN) both engage in drug trafficking to finance their terrorist activities.
The successful operation occurred less than a week after the Third Division discovered and dismantled two cocaine-producing laboratories.
In one of those operations, Troops with the Pegaso Task Force confiscated 4,825 gallons of coca base and 150 kilograms of coca leaves and other supplies at a site that was operated by the FARC’s Daniel Aldana Front in the municipality of Tumaco in the Department of Nariño.
In the other, Soldiers with the Apolo Task Force found a laboratory in Jamundí. The facility contained 240 gallons of coca leaves that were in the process of being turned into cocaine and 25 kilograms of urea – an ingredient used to create cocaine from coca leaves – among other supplies. The Army did not disclose which organization allegedly operated the laboratory or whether Troops captured any suspects.
The Army has eradicated 500,000 coca plants and destroyed 19 clandestine drug-producing laboratories in Jamundí so far this year.