Record Operation in the Caribbean: 2 Tons of Cocaine Seized on Container Ship

Colombian authorities seized approximately two tons of cocaine intended for the European market during an operation in the Caribbean. The drugs were found in the cargo of a container ship making routine voyages from Colombia to Spain.

The container ship named CMA CGM Voltaire, with a capacity of 6,500 TEU, departed from Colombia's Port of Cartagena towards Spain's Port of Algeciras on the 25th at 16:00 GMT. The vessel, operating on CMA CGM's Mediterranean-Caribbean route, made stops at Mediterranean ports extending to Malta before crossing the Atlantic and returning to the Caribbean islands.

Stopped Based on Intelligence Surveillance Colombian security forces began monitoring the Voltaire based on intelligence information from the early hours of its voyage. The ship was stopped northeast of Barranquilla. On the 26th at 10:00 GMT, less than 24 hours after its departure, it was taken to Santa Marta Port for inspection, accompanied by the Colombian Navy.

Over 80 Packages, Approximately 2 Tons of Cocaine According to a statement from the Colombian Navy, approximately two tons of cocaine were seized in over 80 packages on the ship. This operation has been recorded as one of the largest drug seizures in the Caribbean in 2025. Shared footage showed that the drugs were hidden in cargo containers, a method commonly used in high-volume smuggling.

“Prevented from Reaching Europe” Following the operation, Colombian Defense Minister Pedro Arnulfo Sánchez Suárez stated, “This blow weakens the financing of international criminal organizations, protects maritime security, and safeguards legal trade. We have prevented over two tons of cocaine from reaching the European market.”

Sánchez Suárez emphasized that inspections at sea would continue and highlighted the importance of international cooperation against drug trafficking.

Continuation of International Operations This raid came shortly after another major operation jointly conducted by authorities from Colombia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Portugal. In that operation, nine tons of cocaine were seized from a semi-submersible vessel off the Azores, marking it as the largest drug operation in Portugal's history.

Source: SeaNews Türkiye