Colombia Seizes 7.6 Tonnes of Cocaine Hidden in Sugar Shipment Bound for Netherlands
By Chibuzo Obidike | IchieTimes
Colombian authorities have seized 7.6 tonnes of cocaine concealed in a shipment of powdered panela, an unrefined cane sugar, at the port of Cartagena, in an operation carried out in collaboration with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
The seizure was announced by Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella, who described it as the largest cocaine seizure at the port in the past 10 years.
According to the authorities, the shipment was destined for the Netherlands, where the drugs would have been worth more than $200 million. The consignment was estimated to be worth 43 billion Colombian pesos on the domestic market.
Colombia’s National Police said its anti narcotics directorate discovered the concealed drugs during the coordinated operation with the DEA.
Reacting to the seizure, De la Espriella declared that the government would maintain its campaign against drug trafficking, stressing that preventing narcotics from reaching communities would save lives and weaken criminal networks.
The operation represents a major drug interception at one of Colombia’s key ports, as authorities continue efforts to disrupt international cocaine trafficking routes.
