Authorities from over 60 countries seized 225 tons of cocaine in a major 45-day operation in the Pacific Ocean, Colombian Navy officials announced on Wednesday. The operation, part of the 14th edition of the multinational anti-drug campaign “Orion,” also revealed sophisticated new trafficking routes aimed at reaching Australia.
The operation, which involved law enforcement agencies from the United States, Brazil, Spain, the Netherlands, and other nations, resulted in the confiscation of 1,400 tons of illegal drugs. This included 225 tons of cocaine hydrochloride and 228 tons of marijuana, Vice Admiral Orlando Enrique Grisales of the Colombian Navy reported to the media.
One of the key discoveries of the campaign was the interception of a semi-submersible vessel near Clipperton Island. The vessel, built in Colombia, was en route to Australia carrying cocaine. According to Grisales, this and similar findings indicate a new trafficking route between the two countries, utilizing advanced vessels.
“These wooden, fiberglass-coated semi-submersibles are designed to carry enough fuel to cover the 5,000-mile journey from Colombia to Australia without refueling,” Grisales explained.
The Economics of Cocaine Trafficking
Grisales highlighted the stark difference in cocaine prices between markets. While one kilogram of cocaine can fetch up to $240,000 in Australia, the same amount sells for $33,000 to $40,000 in the United States.
The high profitability of the Australian market has likely driven the development of this new maritime route, the report suggests.
Shifting Dynamics in Global Drug Trade
The Orion campaign also uncovered shifting patterns in the global cocaine trade. Authorities identified alliances between criminal groups in Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru with organized crime networks in Europe and Oceania. Unlike the hierarchical cartel structures of the past, these groups now operate as interconnected criminal networks.
“It’s no longer a single pyramid-like structure like the cartels of the past. Today, these are organized crime networks working together,” Grisales said.
International Collaboration and Results
In addition to the drug seizures, the operation led to over 400 arrests through the recently established Orion International Judicial Network, which is supported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Colombia, the world’s largest cocaine producer, has seen a sharp increase in production. According to the UN, the country produced 2,600 tons of cocaine in 2023, a 53% rise compared to previous years.
The Orion campaign’s success highlights the importance of international cooperation in addressing the evolving challenges of drug trafficking. However, the findings also underscore the adaptability and resourcefulness of criminal organizations in exploiting global markets.
