Colombian Navy seizes over a ton of cocaine from boxship bound for Belgium

August 6, 2018

The Colombian Navy has seized more than one ton of cocaine hydrochloride from a containership in the waters off Barranquilla.

The navy, working in cooperation with other agencies including Colombian air force and coast guard, intercepted the Singapore-flagged Cap San Tainaro on August 3, 2018.

As informed, the navy found a total of 1,144 kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride and arrested fifteen sailors aboard the ship.

#NOTICIA. ?️En operación conjunta con @FuerzaAereaCol evitamos el tráfico de más de una tonelada de cocaína, capturando a 15 personas que realizaban la contaminación de un buque mercante que iba con destino al puerto de Amberes – Bélgica. Más en —> https://t.co/OoAqLASopu pic.twitter.com/iFGmWt8Qxt

— Armada Nacional (@armadacolombia) August 3, 2018

The cocaine reportedly belonged to Clan del Golfo, a Colombian drug trafficking group. If sold on the European black market, the drugs would have a value of USD 66 million, according to the navy.

At the time of interception, the 2014-built vessel left the Port of Cartagena and was en route for the Port of Antwerp, Belgium.

The operation is part of the navy’s efforts to maintain security in Colombian ports and maritime routes, preventing organized crime.