Colombian law enforcement, along with colleagues from 62 countries, has set a world record in the fight against cocaine trafficking by seizing 225 tons. The operations against drug traffickers were conducted as part of a six-week initiative called "Orion."
In total, the Colombians and their partners intercepted 6 vessels that were found to be transporting cocaine. Some of the illegal cargo was discovered on a semi-submersible vessel, which was following a new drug trafficking route to Australia.
In addition to cocaine, the partners in "Orion" confiscated a thousand tons of marijuana and weapons from the traffickers. Four hundred individuals have been arrested. "This is possibly the largest seizure of transit cocaine in Colombia's history," wrote Colombian President Gustavo Petro on social media.
The interest of drug lords in the Australian market is not coincidental. According to Colombian security forces, a kilogram of cocaine can be sold there for $240,000, which is about six times more than in the United States.
RelatedParticipants in Operation "Orion" estimated that as a result of the interception, the drug gangs lost at least $8.4 billion.
According to UN estimates, 2,700 tons of cocaine are produced annually worldwide. The previous record for the volume of this drug seized was set by Colombia in 2022, when 671 tons were confiscated.