All articles tagged with #crimedrug trafficking
Colombian armed forces detained five people after a high-speed boat chase off the coast of San Andres island, seizing the country's largest shipment of cocaine this year valued at $113m.
Hamas terrorists who carried out attacks in Israel may have been under the influence of Captagon, a synthetic amphetamine-type stimulant known as the "jihadi drug" or "poor man's cocaine." The drug, consumed like candy, reportedly instigates feelings of rage, irritability, and impatience, encouraging terrorists to commit acts of violence. Bags of Captagon were allegedly given to Hamas fighters, and the drug was found on some of the terrorists killed during the attacks. Captagon is trafficked from Turkey to the Middle East and is used by affluent populations in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar. It is also widely used by Hezbollah terrorists and is a major source of income for Syria.
Drug cartels have infiltrated Ecuador's banana industry, taking advantage of the country's position as the world's largest exporter of bananas and its proximity to major cocaine producers. The use of banana shipments as a cover for smuggling cocaine has led to a surge in violence, including shootings, homicides, kidnappings, and extortions. Criminal organizations from Mexico, Colombia, and the Balkans have settled in Ecuador due to its weak laws and institutions, as well as the presence of established local gangs. The country has seen a significant increase in cocaine seizures, with a record 47.5 metric tons found in banana shipments in 2022. Authorities are working to improve security measures, including the implementation of scanners at ports, but challenges remain in combating drug trafficking in the industry.