President Nayib Bukele reported that the Trident Naval Task Force (FTNT) seized 1.9 tons of cocaine and became the farthest narcotics seizure from the coast in the history of El Salvador.
The president explained that the cargo is valued at $47.5 million and was located 948.2 kilometers [589.2 nautical miles] south-west of Acajutla.
In the procedure, the authorities captured four men: three Colombians and one Ecuadorian. The drugs were transported in a low-profile submersible.
According to Justice and Security data, the narcotics are added to the 800 kg seized between January 1 and February 11, 2022.
“No matter the distance or the wind conditions, the Trident Naval Task Force continues to execute the Territorial Control Plan, of Mr. President @nayibbukele” — Defense Minister Francis Merino Monroy published after the seizure.
Last week, the Minister of Justice and Security, Gustavo Villatoro, reiterated in a television interview that the Security Cabinet, led by President Nayib Bukele, is fighting drug trafficking with force and force, both on the coasts and in different points of the national territory. He also indicated that subjects are captured daily with portions of drugs and weapons.
“With the seizures of drugs in the coastal zone of the national territory, El Salvador reiterates its commitment, on a national and international scale, in the fight against drug trafficking” — Villatoro said on that occasion.
Regarding the destruction of seized narcotics, the minister mentioned that in the burning of seized drugs, each of the corresponding steps of that process is carried out. «We invite the press, so that they can communicate each of the steps that are carried out; In addition, we have personnel from the Ministry of Security and the Prosecutor’s Office who guarantee that the entire procedure is carried out properly” — the official reiterated.
The Navy intercepted a fifth narco-submersible.
The narco-submersible intercepted this Monday is added to the four vessels seized by the FTNT in recent years, which transported more than 6.3 tons of cocaine valued at $161.1 million and were directed by 14 foreigners, among them 11 Colombians, two Ecuadorians and one Guatemalan.
The characteristics of these drug vessels are: The hull material is wood, fiberglass, or steel. The length is 12 to 24 meters, with a freeboard of 0.5 meters, engines are simple diesels with a fuel capacity of 5.6 cubic meters. In addition, they have a range of 3,200 kilometers, have a capacity of up to four crew members, and can transport from four to 12 metric tons of coca. They can be controlled by people or by remote control.