In the framework of joint operations conducted by the Colombian Navy and Colombian National Army, about 2,800 kilograms of cotton were found by troops, which were transported in boats of Venezuelan origin. The facts took place on the confluence sector of the rivers Metay Orinoco department known as La Rampa in Puerto Carreño -Vichada.
The operation took place within the framework of a river checkpoint, where Navy Infantry troops proceeded to verify the boats transporting the material, detecting that they were crewed by Colombian and Venezuelan captains, the latter without the permits issued by the immigration authority to make regular transit through the country.
When carrying out the visit and inspection procedures, it was found that the crew did not have the required documentation to prove the transport and ownership of the material, and the ships did not have a sailing authorization and did not comply with merchant Navy regulations. Therefore, 56 cotton sacks weighing approximately 2.8 tons were put into custody of officials of the Directorate of National Taxes and Customs - DIAN for the corresponding procedures.
Thanks to this type of river and Ground Combat Battalion control operations, so far this year, the Orinoquía Naval Force has found 379 kilograms of solid precursors and 3,093 gallons of liquid precursors for the production of illicit substances, as well as more than 57 million pesos in contraband merchandise, in the departments of Arauca, Casanare, Guainía, Guaviare, Meta and Vichada.
The Colombian Navy will continue to defend the River Interests of Colombians, with operations framed within the constitutional mandate and under the supremacy of the law. It in the same way calls for compliance with the established migration, port and customs regulations (especially Decree No.000005 of January 27, 2023 on regulation of entry and exit of goods in border sectors) in the national territory to get a sustainable economy for the region.
Source: Navy of Colombia
