Three howler monkeys were rescued in the operation, thus preventing the traffic of this protected specimen.
During the operation, 550 kilograms of cocaine were found by troops that would have a cost in the international illegal market of more than 18.5 million dollars; four individuals were arrested.
Units of the Colombian Navy in the framework of a sea control operation, reported the discovery of more than half a ton of cocaine, the arrest of four individuals and the rescue of three howler monkeys, on board a rudimentary boat while sailing north of the department of La Guajira.
Thanks to the operational synergy conducted by naval units, the suspicious ship was detected by sea and air. Its crew members (three Dominicans and one Venezuelan), realizing the existence of the units of the Naval Institution, tried to flee by conducting evasive maneuvers and leaving an indeterminate amount of sacks at sea.
Immediately the Colombian sailors proceeded to intercept the ship and recover 22 bags of the sea that apparently had illicit substances inside.
Inside the boat the men of the Navy found three howler monkeys, to which they were given primary assistance and feeding. It is presumed that they would be transported to commercialize them in an irregular way, it should be noted that this specimen is classified as a “vulnerable specimen” due to the practice of its hunting, destruction of its habitat and illegal trafficking in the country.
Those arrested and the material found were taken to Riohacha for the corresponding judicial procedures. At the place, and after carrying out the review and the Approved Preliminary Initial Test, it was determined that 550 kilograms of cocaine were transported inside the 22 bags. The wild animals were put into custody of to the Regional Autonomous Corporation of La Guajira – CORPOGUAJIRA to start the process of care and return to their natural habitat.
Source: Press - Navy of Colombia
