After the report of the Operations Center of the Caribbean Naval Force of the Colombian Navy about a ship loaded with cocaine hydrochloride in the Caribbean Sea, a joint operation was launched that lasted for more than 72 hours.
The Go Fast type boat, equipped with four outboard motors of 300 horsepower and capacity to transport about five tons of drugs, was found abandoned in an estuary of the Gulf of Urabá, in the department of Antioquia. The boat was capable of reaching speeds of up to 45 knots.
The Naval Institution established that the ship had sailed of the coasts of the department of Córdoba with illicit substances, having as its final destination Honduras, in Central America.
Immediately, an aircraft of the Colombian Aerospace Force was deployed to track the ship, guiding the Rapid Reaction Units of the Coast Guard Stations of Cartagena and Urabá to execute the maritime interception.
Upon noticing the activity of the authorities, the crew members changed course towards the Colombian coasts to try to evade the sustained pressure of the Military Forces and enter the coastal area. However, troops of the Navy Infantry Battalion No. 14 on the ground prevented the maneuver. Faced with the siege, the individuals fled to the Gulf of Urabá, where they finally abandoned the 60—foot—long boat - loaded with 30 barrels of gasoline - in a mangrove area.
Subsequently, troops of the Infantry Battalion No. 47 Francisco de Paula Vélez of Colombian National Army, initiated the prosecution and disablement of the boat in coordination with the authorities. Regarding the cargo, it is presumed that it was left at sea during the pursuit, reason why, aircraft of the Air Combat Command No. 3 and ships of the Caribbean Naval Force are currently conducting search operations.
Source: Colombian Aerospace Force - Public Communication Office CACOM 3
