RAIDERS OF THE LOST NARC: Marines Seize Cocaine Worth GBP 65 Million From Stealth Sub

Marines in El Salvador have arrested three Ecuadorians who were transporting more than three tonnes of cocaine valued at nearly GBP 65 million in a narco-submarine.

Photo shows a scene from the operation carried out by The Naval Force of El Salvador in more than 800 kilometers southwest of the Acajutla Port, El Salvador, undated photo. President Nayib Bukele announced the seizure of 3.1 tons of cocaine and the arrests of three Ecuadorians who were transporting it through the country’s jurisdictional waters. (@nayibbukele/Newsflash)

Navy officers seized 3.1 tonnes of drugs from the semi-submersible low-profile vessel (LPV), which was intercepted in Salvadorian waters 470 nautical miles from the Port of Acajutla.

The haul was valued at an astonishing USD 77 million dollars (GBP 65 million).

A snap shows the three suspected drug traffickers kneeling behind the haul with their arms behind their backs as armed marines stand around them.

Most LPVs are said to be mass-produced in secret artisan workshops deep in the Colombian jungle.

Authorities in El Salvador are increasingly intercepting LPVs, often originating from the Ecuadorian coast.

The main destinations of the drugs they transport are believed to be the United States and Europe.

In a statement obtained by Newsflash, the Government of El Salvador said: “The President of the Republic, Nayib Bukele, has confirmed the largest cocaine seizure this year, valued at USD 77 million. The drugs were transported in a semi-submersible located 470 nautical miles southwest of the Port of Acajutla, under the jurisdiction of the department of Sonsonate.”

The Head of State explained: “Our Naval Force has just made another massive drugs seizure. At 470 nautical miles (870 kilometres) southwest of the Port of Acajutla, an LPV with three Ecuadorians and 3.1 tonnes of cocaine, valued at 77 million dollars, on board was intercepted.”

The statement continued: “The Salvadorian President explained that the drug traffickers tried to sink the boat, but security teams managed to recover the drugs so that they could not be salvaged later by the drug traffickers.”

President Nayib Bukele said: “This is the largest seizure of the year and makes 2022 exceed the amount of drugs seized in 2021 and 2020.”

Photo shows a scene from the operation carried out by The Naval Force of El Salvador in more than 800 kilometers southwest of the Acajutla Port, El Salvador, undated photo. President Nayib Bukele announced the seizure of 3.1 tons of cocaine and the arrests of three Ecuadorians who were transporting it through the country’s jurisdictional waters. (@nayibbukele/Newsflash)

The statement went on: “The cocaine packages were identified with a crown, a woman’s face, and a star, all yellow.

“Last year the Government managed to confiscate 11.8 tonnes of different drugs. So far in 2022, 12.8 tonnes of different drugs have been seized.

“Among the seizures this year: 1.35 tonnes of drugs, valued at USD 33 million; 700 kilos of cocaine, valued at more than USD 17 million; 2.2 tonnes of cocaine, valued at more than USD 55 million, among others.

Photo shows a scene from the operation carried out by The Naval Force of El Salvador in more than 800 kilometers southwest of the Acajutla Port, El Salvador, undated photo. President Nayib Bukele announced the seizure of 3.1 tons of cocaine and the arrests of three Ecuadorians who were transporting it through the country’s jurisdictional waters. (@nayibbukele/Newsflash)

“Since the implementation of the Territorial Control Plan, the Government of President Nayib Bukele has proceeded to confiscate more than 25,035 tonnes of cocaine, which have a value equivalent to USD 547.13 million; 50 drug traffickers have been captured on the high seas and 82 on land for crimes related to cocaine trafficking.”

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