Drug smuggling submarine identified by Colombian authorities

A drug smuggling submarine has been appropriated by the Colombian law enforcement, foiling a plot by drug cartels to ship cocaine to North America. The seized boat was able to fully submerge in water. Typically, drug subs are not able to fully submerge, and aren’t true submarines. They’re not easily detected. Crafts of this type cannot be detected by sonar.

Drug smuggling discovered with joint task force

Drug smugglers were caught by Colombian authorities, reports the Daily Mail. It included the air force, navy and Colombian Inspector General's office. There was drug smuggling going on in the swamps near the town of Timbiqui near the region of Cauca. Cuaca is on the Pacific coast of Colombia, and the swamps lead directly to the sea. In the drug submarine there was eight tons of cocaine identified. There were also bunks for a four man crew along with computers for navigation. When the craft was discovered, there wasn't anyone onboard. There were some firearms found though.

Smuggling is the next thing

Drug smuggling submersibles, or Narco Subs, have been in use for years, though this boat was a new breed. Sometimes the subs are only used once although that doesn't stop drug cartels from spending millions on making the subs with fiberglass. When it comes to drug smuggling submersibles, they cannot fully submerge. That means they aren't true submarines. The difference for the Timbiqui was that it was able to submerge. It could go for extended periods of time down nine meters, or 40 feet. The Wall Street Journal reports that the 105-foot boat could have gotten to the coast of Mexico or even to the United States.

After that action to take

Drug cartels are quite crafty about drug transfer. Into the United States they’re especially crafty. Drug submersibles have been known about for the past several years and were referred to as “Bigfoot” for a while because none had been captured or seen. However, one was eventually captured several years back, and more are being discovered. Drug cartels have been able to make subs that can submerge entirely now. That means the after that move will most likely be remote controlled drug submersibles.

Information from

Daily Mail

dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1357040/Submarine-loaded-tons-cocaine-seized-Colombia.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703703804576144752329031500.html

Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narco_submarine