Bolivia’s Special Force against Drug Trafficking (FELCN) seized 654 kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride hidden inside a vehicle that law enforcement agents stopped at the Tambo Quemado border crossing that leads into Chile.
Bolivia’s Special Force against Drug Trafficking (FELCN) seized 654 kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride hidden inside a vehicle that law enforcement agents stopped on April 20 at the Tambo Quemado border crossing that leads into Chile. They also arrested five Bolivian men in connection with the seizure.
The cocaine, which had a street value of at least $48 million, was bound for a port before it would be shipped to Málaga, Spain.
The seizure marks the latest success in a series of 3,263 counter-narcotics operations that the FECLN has carried out since January 1; and as a result, authorities have captured nearly 11 tons of cocaine and arrested 1,060 alleged traffickers.
Among those operations, the FELCN seized recently about 27 tons of ground cocaine leaves, which were disguised to look like packages of yerba mate tea. The leaves, which were found in a resident in the Department of Santa Cruz, had an estimated value of $350,000 — but they could have produced 100 kilograms of cocaine worth up to $90 million. Law enforcement officers arrested two Bolivian nationals in connection with the coca leaves, which drug traffickers allegedly intended to be shipped to Chile and then to Lebanon.
Bolivia allows coca leaves to be grown legally in limited amounts to make tea and medicine, and as part of Andean religious rites. However, the only major purpose for shredded coca leaves is to prepare them to be manufactured into cocaine.
Colombia’s National Navy destroys 2 cocaine laboratories
The Colombian National Navy’s Poseidón Task Force Against Drug Trafficking found and destroyed two cocaine laboratories in the Department of Nariño on April 20.
Troops seized 1,000 kilograms of coca leaves, 1,460 kilograms of solid chemicals and 1,153 gallons of liquid chemicals used in the cocaine-making process, 1,060 gallons of gasoline, and other supplies from the two structures. Colombian Marines destroyed all of the contraband in a controlled manner.
The Navy didn’t immediately report if any suspects were captured or which narcotrafficking or organized crime group owned the laboratories and seized materials.
Since January 1, Colombia’s Pacific Naval Force has destroyed 33,000 gallons of liquid chemicals and more than 24 tons of solid chemicals used to produce cocaine, and has eradicated 40 structures involved in the drug trade. The Navy is asking residents to use hotline 147 to report any suspicious activity while it continues to combat violence and the trafficking of illicit goods throughout Colombia’s Pacific region.
Bolivia’s Special Force against Drug Trafficking (FELCN) seized 654 kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride hidden inside a vehicle that law enforcement agents stopped on April 20 at the Tambo Quemado border crossing that leads into Chile. They also arrested five Bolivian men in connection with the seizure.
The cocaine, which had a street value of at least $48 million, was bound for a port before it would be shipped to Málaga, Spain.
The seizure marks the latest success in a series of 3,263 counter-narcotics operations that the FECLN has carried out since January 1; and as a result, authorities have captured nearly 11 tons of cocaine and arrested 1,060 alleged traffickers.
Among those operations, the FELCN seized recently about 27 tons of ground cocaine leaves, which were disguised to look like packages of yerba mate tea. The leaves, which were found in a resident in the Department of Santa Cruz, had an estimated value of $350,000 — but they could have produced 100 kilograms of cocaine worth up to $90 million. Law enforcement officers arrested two Bolivian nationals in connection with the coca leaves, which drug traffickers allegedly intended to be shipped to Chile and then to Lebanon.
Bolivia allows coca leaves to be grown legally in limited amounts to make tea and medicine, and as part of Andean religious rites. However, the only major purpose for shredded coca leaves is to prepare them to be manufactured into cocaine.
Colombia’s National Navy destroys 2 cocaine laboratories
The Colombian National Navy’s Poseidón Task Force Against Drug Trafficking found and destroyed two cocaine laboratories in the Department of Nariño on April 20.
Troops seized 1,000 kilograms of coca leaves, 1,460 kilograms of solid chemicals and 1,153 gallons of liquid chemicals used in the cocaine-making process, 1,060 gallons of gasoline, and other supplies from the two structures. Colombian Marines destroyed all of the contraband in a controlled manner.
The Navy didn’t immediately report if any suspects were captured or which narcotrafficking or organized crime group owned the laboratories and seized materials.
Since January 1, Colombia’s Pacific Naval Force has destroyed 33,000 gallons of liquid chemicals and more than 24 tons of solid chemicals used to produce cocaine, and has eradicated 40 structures involved in the drug trade. The Navy is asking residents to use hotline 147 to report any suspicious activity while it continues to combat violence and the trafficking of illicit goods throughout Colombia’s Pacific region.