- Title: COLOMBIA: Colombian authorities seizes nearly two tons of cocaine
- Date: 30th December 2009
- Summary: BOGOTA, COLOMBIA (DECEMBER 29, 2009) (REUTERS) GABRIEL SILVA, COLOMBIAN DEFENCE MINISTER, ARRIVING TO NEWS CONFERENCE SILVA TALKING TO JOURNALIST BEFORE NEWS CONFERENCE SILVA'S HANDS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) GABRIEL SILVA, COLOMBIAN DEFENSE MINISTER, SAYING: "We were able to confiscate about two tons of processed cocaine, ready to be exported in Puerto Escondido, which is a beach in Cordoba ."
- Embargoed: 14th January 2010 03:31
- Keywords:
- Location: Colombia
- Country: Colombia
- Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement
- Reuters ID: LVA632B14KYPLRLNYK8PAXVIDLF8
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
- Story Text: Colombia seizes 1.786 tons of cocaine buried on a northern beach and ready to be shipped to the U.S.
Colombia officials announced on Tuesday (December 29) the seizure of 1.786 tons of cocaine that had been buried on a beach and ready to shipped to the U.S. via Central America.
Colombian Defense Minister Gabriel Silva said the bust took place at Puerto Escondido in the department of Cordoba, a strategic zone for smuggling arms and drugs by leftist guerrillas and rightist paramilitary groups.
"We were able to confiscate about two tons of processed cocaine, ready to be exported in Puerto Escondido, which is a beach in Cordoba," Silva said at a news conference in Bogota.
The ship, worth around $56 million, belonged to a group of traffickers made up of ex-paramilitary members who had turned their arms over to the government but returned to illegal activities.
Silva added that the drugs were found after a civilian tip led authorities to the stash.
Colombia is considered the world's biggest cocaine producer and the U.S., their partner in the war on drugs, is the biggest market. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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