08-06-2025

Global Crackdown on Cocaine Smuggling Rings

Date: 08-06-2025
Sources: cbsnews.com: 2 | news.sky.com: 1
Image for cluster 6
Image Source:

Source: news.sky.com

Image content: The image depicts a scene where a person is being restrained by an individual in a black uniform, appearing to be a police officer or security personnel. The main subject of the image is the person on the floor, who is being subdued by the officer. The content of the image suggests a moment of confrontation or arrest, with multiple individuals in black uniforms present in the scene.

Summary

A series of international operations have targeted cocaine smuggling rings, resulting in significant arrests and seizures. The smuggling operations used sophisticated methods, including high-speed boats and submarines, to transport large quantities of cocaine from South America to Europe and the Caribbean. Authorities have highlighted corruption and vulnerabilities in countries like Guyana as a major factor in the cocaine trade.

Key Points

  • International cocaine smuggling rings have been dismantled in joint operations involving multiple countries, with over 48 people arrested and significant quantities of cocaine seized.
  • The smuggling operations used high-speed 'narco boats' and 'narco subs' to transport cocaine from South America to Europe and the Caribbean.
  • The US Department of the Treasury has imposed sanctions on individuals accused of facilitating cocaine trafficking, highlighting corruption and vulnerabilities in countries like Guyana.

Articles in this Cluster

Cocaine smuggling ring used abandoned shipwreck to refuel high-speed "narco boats," police in Spain say - CBS News

Police in Spain have dismantled an international cocaine smuggling ring that used high-speed "narco boats" to transport large quantities of cocaine from Brazil and Colombia to the Canary Islands. The ring allegedly used an abandoned shipwreck as a refueling platform and 11 speedboats to pick up drugs from "mother ships." 48 people were arrested in a joint operation with several countries, and authorities seized nearly 3,800 kilos of cocaine, 19 boats, and around $114,000.

"Narco subs" trafficking cocaine targeted in latest U.S. sanction - CBS News

The US Department of the Treasury has imposed sanctions on six individuals accused of trafficking cocaine using "narco subs" and other methods. Four Guyanese nationals and two Colombians are alleged to have trafficked tons of cocaine from South America to the US, Europe, and the Caribbean. The individuals sanctioned include a former Guyana police officer and a current officer accused of facilitating safe passage for drug traffickers. The Treasury Department stated that Guyana's proximity to the Caribbean and alleged corruption at its ports and borders have made it a major hotspot for cocaine trafficking. "Narco subs" can transport up to 3 tons of cocaine at a time and have been used to smuggle drugs through Guyana's rivers and into the Atlantic Ocean.

More than 40 'narco-boat' drug smugglers arrested in major police sting | World News | Sky News

More than 40 people have been arrested in a major police sting operation, dubbed Operation Black Shadow, targeting a "narco-boats" gang accused of trafficking cocaine into the EU. The gang used "mother ships" to transport cocaine from South America to the Canary Islands, with 11 speedboats ferrying the drugs to shore. Nearly 3,800 kilos of cocaine, 69 vehicles, and €100,000 in cash were seized during the operation, which involved police forces from around the world. A British national was among the 48 arrested.