Massive drug bust leads to discovery of new Pacific trafficking route with sophisticated "narco subs"

Authorities from dozens of countries seized over 225 metric tons of cocaine in a six-week mega-operation where they unearthed a new Pacific trafficking route from South America to Australia, the Colombian Navy said Wednesday. Officials said they had also seized "increasingly sophisticated" drug-laden semisubmersibles better known as "narco subs" that can travel 10,000 miles without refueling.

The latest phase of global naval operation "Orion" resulted in the seizure of more than 1,400 tons of drugs, including over 225 tons of cocaine and 128 tons of marijuana, Navy official Orlando Enrique Grisales told reporters.

More than 400 people were arrested in the operation targeting oceans, coasts, rivers and ports around the globe in October and November.

"This is perhaps the largest seizure of cocaine in transit made by Colombia in history," Colombian President Gustavo Petro said on social media.

The massive bust involved the security agencies of the United States, Brazil, Spain, the Netherlands and several other nations, as well as multiple international organizations.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-pacific-drug-trafficking-route-narco-subs-colombia/