Drug-loaded submarine seized in Colombia
Reuters
2012-09-19
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PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL
(ROUGH CUT ONLY - NO REPORTER NARRATION)
STORY: Colombian authorities announced on Tuesday (September 18) the seizure of an unmanned semi-submersible sea vessel capable of carrying up to four tonnes of illicit drugs.
The submarine, measuring 7.5 metres long and two metres wide, was discovered in Colombia's Pacific ocean close to the municipality of Tumaco.
A joint military operation between Colombian armed forces and the Latin American country's Attorney General's office located the vessel.
The semi-submersible was towed to the coast where authorities are expected to identify the amount of illicit drugs onboard and investigate possible clues into the owners of the sea vessel.
Many believe the semi-submersible belongs to the notorious "Los Rastrojos" gang, a brutal criminal organisation that controls several smuggling routes and is said to be responsible for moving tonnes of cocaine into the United States every year.
The rural ports and fishing Pacific coast of Colombia is a key area for trafficking and leftist guerrillas, paramilitaries and others vie for control over smuggling routes.
Since 2007, the Colombian army has seized more than 22 submarines, impeding the delivery of an estimated 50 tons of cocaine.
(ROUGH CUT ONLY - NO REPORTER NARRATION)
STORY: Colombian authorities announced on Tuesday (September 18) the seizure of an unmanned semi-submersible sea vessel capable of carrying up to four tonnes of illicit drugs.
The submarine, measuring 7.5 metres long and two metres wide, was discovered in Colombia's Pacific ocean close to the municipality of Tumaco.
A joint military operation between Colombian armed forces and the Latin American country's Attorney General's office located the vessel.
The semi-submersible was towed to the coast where authorities are expected to identify the amount of illicit drugs onboard and investigate possible clues into the owners of the sea vessel.
Many believe the semi-submersible belongs to the notorious "Los Rastrojos" gang, a brutal criminal organisation that controls several smuggling routes and is said to be responsible for moving tonnes of cocaine into the United States every year.
The rural ports and fishing Pacific coast of Colombia is a key area for trafficking and leftist guerrillas, paramilitaries and others vie for control over smuggling routes.
Since 2007, the Colombian army has seized more than 22 submarines, impeding the delivery of an estimated 50 tons of cocaine.
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