The president of Colombia, Abelardo de la Espriella, has announced that the country's security forces have managed to seize 4.6 tons of cocaine and other narcotic substances, valued at about 135 million euros, during the last three weeks, as part of operations in which 30 countries have collaborated.
In a post on social media, the newly invested head of state, who took office at the beginning of August, has made a first assessment of his government's anti-drug offensive. "Our Colombian Air Force led Operation Multinational ZEUS ARCANO III, with the participation of 30 countries and 17 agencies, articulating aerial, maritime, and human capabilities against transnational organized crime," he has pointed out.
According to the figures released since August 11, Colombian authorities have seized 4,687 kilograms of cocaine and 22 kilograms of THC (the psychoactive compound of cannabis). In addition, they have arrested eight suspects and immobilized two speedboats used for drug transport. "92 air missions were carried out, 102 runways were verified, and illegal aircraft and vessels, points of interest, and areas of illicit crops were identified," the president detailed, who has valued the stash at 157 million dollars (about 135 million euros).
In another message, accompanied by a photograph showing the confiscated shipments and several detainees, De la Espriella has emphasized that the country "is leading and working with the world to close the drug trafficking routes by air, sea, and land."
"They will not have safe corridors to move their poison or enjoy their criminal fortunes. The worst cancer of Colombia is drug trafficking, and we are going to end it with the help of God and our Public Force," the Colombian president has concluded, reaffirming his Administration's commitment to intensify the fight against drug trafficking networks.