This year more than 10 laboratories for the production of coca paste base and cocaine hydrochloride have been dismantled in this subregion of the department.
Within the framework of the military operation against illicit activities that finance organized armed groups, troops of the Special Energy and Road Battalion No. 4 of the Fourth Brigade, the Battalion Against Drug Trafficking No. 3, with the support of the Air Combat Command No. 5 and the Anti-Narcotics Directorate of the National Police, reported the finding and destruction of seven laboratories used for the production of coca base paste, in the rural area of the municipality of San Carlos, in the East of Antioquia.
These structures, which apparently belonged to the so called Pacificadores Samaná of the GAO Clan del Golfo, were neutralized through operations guided by military intelligence resources.
In the places, the destruction of the material and of all the constructions used for the production of the narcotic was carried out, generating an economic loss of more than 550 million pesos, which represents a powerful blow to the illicit finances of this criminal structure.
During the military operations, more than 120 kilograms of coca base paste were found by troops, and a large volume of solid chemical precursors were destroyed: 20 kilograms of caustic soda, 50 kilograms of fertilizer, 500 kilograms of cement, 10 kilograms of lime, 250 kilograms of urea, 250 kilograms of ammonium sulfate, 300 kilograms of calcium chloride and 200 kilograms of activated carbon, for 1,030 kilograms.
In the same way, liquid chemical precursors represented in 145 gallons of DIESEL, 511 gallons of gasoline, 65 gallons of ammonia, 222 gallons of coca base paste in solution and 100 more gallons of ammonia were destroyed, for 1,043 gallons.
Similarly, equipment used for the operation of the laboratories was disabled, including 2 scythes, 7 sprayers, a precision scale , a battery, a solar panel, a hydraulic press, 14 55-gallon plastic barrels, an power generator, a motor pump, a 500-gallon black barrel, a plastic roll, three bascules, and four hose rolls.
In another sector of this municipality, the troops neutralized liquid supplies and hardware items, apparently belonging to alias Simón Fantasma, members of the GAO Clan del Golfo. These complexes were composed of several wooden structures and a plastic roof. Inside troops found 250 gallons of coca base paste in solution, 345 gallons of DIESEL and 90 gallons of gasoline. In the same way, 45 kg of urea, 30 kg of cement and 25 kg of lime were found by troops. Additionally, 20 55-gallon barrels, 48 5-gallon barrels, four drainers and a hydraulic press were destroyed.
Source: Press – National Army
