Narco Submarine Intercepted Offshore with Over 5000 Pounds of Cocaine

Narco Submarine Intercepted Offshore with Over 5000 Pounds of Cocaine

Narco Submarine Intercepted Offshore with Over 5000 Pounds of Cocaine

In a significant operation, a self-propelled, semi-submersible vessel, commonly referred to as a ‘narco-submarine,’ was intercepted off the coast of Guyana, carrying a staggering 5,225 pounds of cocaine.

The interception took place on March 21, approximately 150 miles off the coast of Guyana, marking a collaborative effort between various agencies including the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Georgetown Country Office, the Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATFS), Guyana Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU), and the United States Coast Guard (USCG).

The operation, spearheaded by the US Navy’s guided missile cruiser, the USS Leyte Gulf, led to the arrest of four individuals and the seizure of the substantial quantity of cocaine.

According to a release from the United States Embassy in Georgetown, this landmark seizure will be prosecuted in the US, underscoring the commitment of the US government to support Guyana and its Caribbean partners in combating illicit trafficking and transnational crime.

The intercepted vessel, a self-propelled semi-submersible, underscores the sophisticated methods employed by drug traffickers to transport narcotics across international waters. Such vessels are designed primarily for the clandestine transportation of illicit substances.

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This interception echoes a similar incident in 2014 when a ‘cocaine submarine’ was discovered in the Waini area, North West District of Guyana. Following its discovery, the vessel underwent forensic testing in the United States.

Reports from the time indicated that the submarine was found concealed in a secluded spot within the Waini area, accompanied by ancillary structures including accommodation, a workshop, and power generation facilities.

These operations highlight the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to disrupt the activities of drug traffickers, particularly in the maritime domain where semi-submersible vessels pose a significant challenge to authorities combating narcotics trafficking.

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