With this blow, the National Navy prevented the drug trafficking organizations from receiving more than 231 million dollars, as a result of the sale of the alkaloid in the international illegal market. To date, the Pacific Naval Force has found about 10 tons of cocaine hydrochloride and marijuana, preventing drug trafficking organizations from receiving more than 250 million dollars.
The National Navy in the Colombian Pacific conducted the discovery of three semi-submarines in the department of Cauca. One of them was intercepted while sailing with 1.5 tons of cocaine hydrochloride, and the other two illegal devices, were found in two illegal shipyards in which they were being built.
The first semi-submarine of 20 meters in length (long), by two meters wide, was intercepted while sailing in the municipality of Timbiquí, in the department of Cauca, manned by two Ecuadorians and a Colombian, who intended to transport 1,535 kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride to Central America. This heavy blow took place thanks to the work of naval intelligence with former members of the Farc, who were required for extradition by the United States Government, and had provided information to obtain benefits.
The units of the Pacific Naval Force found the device built by the subgroup of alias 'El Burro', of the Residual Organized Armed Group of the Front 29 'Stiven González', whose leader is alias 'Platanote'. Troops on land and maritime Units, intercepted the submarine while at the sea. The individuals, feeling detected, opened the bottom valves to sink the semi-submarine, a situation to which the personnel of the Coast Guard Rapid Reaction Unit reacted quickly.
Facing the sinking of the semi-submarine, the Naval Force of the Pacific planned the operation that led it to refloat the unit with the help of an amphibious ship, since this Unit is configured as hyperbaric support, diving platform, logistic support and rescue elemnt, for the capacity of your crane; it is a Pilot Unit of the General Maritime Directorate, as well as Coast Guard Units’. During the refloating operation of the semi-submarine, which lasted approximately 10 days, the different capacities of the Colombian Navy were combined for this diving and rescue operation.
The semi-submarine, the alkaloid and the individuals, were taken to Buenaventura, in the department of Valle del Cauca, where they were given to the authorities. The individuals will be prosecuted by the Law of Semi-submarines and Submarines, which punishes the use, construction, commercialization and possession of these illegal devices. The penalty ranges by 6 to 12 years and, if it the use includes transport of alkaloids, time in prison ranges from 8 to 14 years. They will also be processed for the crime of drug trafficking.
It is necessary to highlight the support received from the Office of the Attorney General of the Nation, through the Specialized Directorate against Drug Trafficking and the Judicial Police - CTI (Technical Investigations Corps) component, which guided the personnel of the Pacific Naval Force during the procedure to comply with the legal terms in force.
Simultaneously, in the area of the municipality López de Micay, in the department of Cauca, two low profile semi-submarines were also found. These elements were built in illegal shipyards. One of the devices measured 17 meters long (length) and four meters wide (sleeve), the other was 20 meters long (length) and four meters wide (sleeve), with a capacity to transport up to two and a half tons of alkaloids, each.
The extension of the illegal shipyards and the different wooden infrastructures exceeded 200 meters, being considered as one of the largest areas found by the Colombian Navy so far in the Colombian Pacific. Inside, troops found a rudimentary camp-like infrastructure, which had the capacity to house up to 15 criminals. In the same way, a corvina type boat with motor, 80 barrels with waste of substances used in the manufacture of these boats and communication radios were found. During the operation, no captures were made.
This year, the Pacific Naval Force has found six semi-submarines. In 2018, 28 semi-submarine-type ships were found in this region of the country.
Source: Pacific Naval Force
