From November 13, 2019 to October 12, 2020, the Bolivian Special Force to Fight Drug Trafficking (FELCN, in Spanish) seized more than 14.1 tons of cocaine and 438.6 tons of marijuana, totaling 452.7 tons of drugs. The FELCN made the announcement in a press release on October 13.
During numerous operations, agents destroyed a total of 32 crystallization labs, 35 recycling labs, and 812 drug-manufacturing labs. They also arrested 2,284 people and seized 531 vehicles, 24 aircraft, and 122 facilities.
In the first half of September alone, the FELCN seized 1,197 kilograms of cocaine and 43 tons of marijuana, totaling more than 44 tons of drugs seized in different parts of the country.
According to the FELCN, between September 1-13, several antinarcotic operations were carried out and 116 people were apprehended, in addition to 27 vehicles, five light aircraft, and five facilities.
During an operation, agents captured seven people and seized six vehicles and almost 281 kg of cocaine in Cochabamba and Oruro departments.
In another operation, mobile checkpoints intercepted a vehicle with about 58 kg of cocaine on the road between San Carlos and Buena Vista municipalities, Santa Cruz department. The vehicle caught the attention of agents because its structure had been modified. Two individuals were arrested.
In addition, Operation Iguana destroyed an area of 28,800 square meters of cannabis plantations, equivalent to 43.2 tons of the drug. “Three people were arrested and two home-made presses and brick-type molds were seized,” the FELCN said.
Agents have also seized significant amounts of supplies to produce cocaine and marijuana.
On October 12, for instance, the FELCN’s Chemical Substances Investigation Group seized 2,200 liters of sulfuric acid in the city of El Alto, La Paz department. According to the FELCN, this seizure has caused significant damage to narcotrafficking.
