<p>According to a United Nations report released on Monday (September 11), Colombia, known as the world's largest cocaine producer, set a record in 2022 for an all-time high cocaine production and coca-leaf cultivation, exceeding the figures from 2021.&nbsp;The release of the UN report comes amid the Colombian government's efforts under President Gustavo Petro to devise a strategy to combat drug consumption and trafficking. President Petro proposed the idea of forming an alliance among Latin American nations to collectively address drug trafficking issues with a fresh strategy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The report from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) revealed that coca-leaf cultivation witnessed a substantial increase of 13 per cent compared to 2021, covering an expansive 230,000 hectares of land.</p>

<h2><strong>Rising cocaine production</strong></h2>

<p>In this period, cocaine production surged from 1,400 tonnes to an alarming 1,738 tonnes, representing the highest figures since the UN initiated its data monitoring efforts in 2001. A significant portion of Colombian cocaine finds its way into the United States and Europe.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/egypt-protests-ethiopias-gerd-filling-labels-move-illegal-634846">Egypt protests Ethiopia's Nile dam filling, labels move 'Illegal'</a></p>

<p>As far as the geographical distribution of coca cultivation is concerned, nearly two-thirds are concentrated in the southern departments of Narino and Putumayo, bordering Ecuador. These regions have been grappling with drug gang-related violence.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/us-saudi-arabia-are-in-dialogue-to-secure-metals-in-africa-report-634827">US, Saudi Arabia are in dialogue to secure metals in Africa: Report</a></p>

<p>Additionally, North Santander, situated along the Venezuelan border, also saw substantial coca cultivation. Approximately half of drug crops were discovered in Indigenous reserves, with around 10 percent in forest reserves and five percent in natural parks, the UN report said.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Government's response&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>During the Latin American and Caribbean Conference on Drugs in Cali, Colombian President Gustavo Petro advocated for a unified approach across Latin American nations to tackle drug trafficking.&nbsp;This is a fresh approach that entails looking at drug consumption as a matter of public health, rather than as what he labeled as an ineffective militarised strategy.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Morocco Earthquake: Death toll rises to over 2,122 rescue operation underway</strong></p>

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<p>"What I propose is to have a different and unified voice that defends our societies, our future, and our history and to stop repeating a failed discourse that has already failed," he said urging to step away from move that leads to "immeasurable bloodshed and pain in Latin America."</p>

<p>Since taking office in 2022, President Petro has shown interest in the possibility of legalising marijuana in Colombia.</p>

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According to a United Nations report released on Monday (September 11), Colombia, known as the world's largest cocaine producer, set a record in 2022 for an all-time high cocaine production and coca-leaf cultivation, exceeding the figures from 2021.

According to a United Nations report released on Monday (September 11), Colombia, known as the world's largest cocaine producer, set a record in 2022 for an all-time high cocaine production and coca-leaf cultivation, exceeding the figures from 2021. The release of the UN report comes amid the Colombian government's efforts under President Gustavo Petro to devise a strategy to combat drug consumption and trafficking. President Petro proposed the idea of forming an alliance among Latin American nations to collectively address drug trafficking issues with a fresh strategy. The report from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) revealed that coca-leaf cultivation witnessed a substantial increase of 13 per cent compared to 2021, covering an expansive 230,000 hectares of land. Rising cocaine production In this period, cocaine production surged from 1,400 tonnes to an alarming 1,738 tonnes, representing the highest figures since the UN initiated its data monitoring efforts in 2001. A significant portion of Colombian cocaine finds its way into the United States and Europe. Also Read | Egypt protests Ethiopia's Nile dam filling, labels move 'Illegal' As far as the geographical distribution of coca cultivation is concerned, nearly two-thirds are concentrated in the southern departments of Narino and Putumayo, bordering Ecuador. These regions have been grappling with drug gang-related violence. Also Read | US, Saudi Arabia are in dialogue to secure metals in Africa: Report Additionally, North Santander, situated along the Venezuelan border, also saw substantial coca cultivation. Approximately half of drug crops were discovered in Indigenous reserves, with around 10 percent in forest reserves and five percent in natural parks, the UN report said. Government's response During the Latin American and Caribbean Conference on Drugs in Cali, Colombian President Gustavo Petro advocated for a unified approach across Latin American nations to tackle drug trafficking. This is a fresh approach that entails looking at drug consumption as a matter of public health, rather than as what he labeled as an ineffective militarised strategy. Watch | Morocco Earthquake: Death toll rises to over 2,122 rescue operation underway × "What I propose is to have a different and unified voice that defends our societies, our future, and our history and to stop repeating a failed discourse that has already failed," he said urging to step away from move that leads to "immeasurable bloodshed and pain in Latin America." Since taking office in 2022, President Petro has shown interest in the possibility of legalising marijuana in Colombia. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Colombia's cocaine production hits all-time high in 2022, Petro calls for new strategy

<p>Spanish authorities busted one of the biggest drug hauls in the country’s history after they seized 9.5 tonnes of cocaine that was hidden in a banana freight container originating from Ecuador.</p>

<p>The seizure took place on Wednesday in the southern port of Algeciras. The customs said in a statement said that it was "the biggest concealed cargo of cocaine in Spain to date."</p>

<p>The narcotic was stashed in banana crates inside a refrigerated container, they added.</p>

<p>Many of these packages had hakenkreuz symbols and the word "Hitler" written on them, similar to a consignment of cocaine that was intercepted in Peru en route to Belgium in May this year, the authorities said.</p>

<p>They did not reveal which group was responsible, but the officials added that the operation was "an unprecedented blow for one of the biggest criminal organisations at the world level in cocaine distribution."</p>

<h2><strong>Drug consignment intended for major criminal networks&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>This drug consignment was intended to be supplied to major criminal networks in Europe, the customs officials said.</p>

<p>The logos of more than 30 European criminal groups who had been destined to take delivery of the cargo were found inside.</p>

<p>The customs said that the drugs came from Guayaquil, the Ecuadoran port city known as a springboard for South American drugs. It is from here that the drugs are supplied to the United States and Europe.</p>

<p>The organisation which undertook the transport was able to send 40 containers a month to Europe thanks to a vast commercial network and also used the northwestern port of Vigo, the investigators said.</p>

<h2><strong>Probe began in July&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Prior to this seizure, Spain's biggest cocaine bust was 8.4 tonnes in 2018, also found in a supposed banana container in Algeciras.</p>

<p>The investigations began in July when police received information about a pending shipment of Colombian cocaine via Ecuador in August.</p>

<p>The organisation behind the shipment operated through a banana exporting company in Machala, Ecuador, the agency said.</p>

<p>The cargo was due to be delivered in Portugal for later distribution throughout Europe.</p>

<p>No arrests have been made so far.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
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Spanish authorities busted one of the biggest drug hauls in the country’s history after they seized 9.5 tonnes of cocaine that was hidden in a banana freight container originating from Ecuador.

Spanish authorities busted one of the biggest drug hauls in the country’s history after they seized 9.5 tonnes of cocaine that was hidden in a banana freight container originating from Ecuador. The seizure took place on Wednesday in the southern port of Algeciras. The customs said in a statement said that it was "the biggest concealed cargo of cocaine in Spain to date." The narcotic was stashed in banana crates inside a refrigerated container, they added. Many of these packages had hakenkreuz symbols and the word "Hitler" written on them, similar to a consignment of cocaine that was intercepted in Peru en route to Belgium in May this year, the authorities said. They did not reveal which group was responsible, but the officials added that the operation was "an unprecedented blow for one of the biggest criminal organisations at the world level in cocaine distribution." Drug consignment intended for major criminal networks This drug consignment was intended to be supplied to major criminal networks in Europe, the customs officials said. The logos of more than 30 European criminal groups who had been destined to take delivery of the cargo were found inside. The customs said that the drugs came from Guayaquil, the Ecuadoran port city known as a springboard for South American drugs. It is from here that the drugs are supplied to the United States and Europe. The organisation which undertook the transport was able to send 40 containers a month to Europe thanks to a vast commercial network and also used the northwestern port of Vigo, the investigators said. Probe began in July Prior to this seizure, Spain's biggest cocaine bust was 8.4 tonnes in 2018, also found in a supposed banana container in Algeciras. The investigations began in July when police received information about a pending shipment of Colombian cocaine via Ecuador in August. The organisation behind the shipment operated through a banana exporting company in Machala, Ecuador, the agency said. The cargo was due to be delivered in Portugal for later distribution throughout Europe. No arrests have been made so far. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Spanish authorities seize 9.5 tonnes of cocaine, one of the biggest drug hauls in Europe’s history

Numerous sharks off the coast of Florida may have developed cocaine addictions, according to a research. These aquatic creatures have been munching on copious amounts of drugs poured into the water. Drug traffickers have been smuggling cocaine from South America to Central America along the Florida coast for years.

Sharks react to cocaine in a similar fashion like humans :Study

<p>Thousands of sharks off Florida coast may have become addicted to cocaine, a new study has recently revealed.</p>

<p>According to the researchers, these marine animals have been feasting on large amounts of narcotics that are getting dumped into the ocean.</p>

<p>For decades, the drug peddlers have been using the Florida coast to smuggle huge bundles of cocaine from South to Central America.</p>

<p>These bales of narcotics—which are often dumped at sea as it helps smugglers avoid law enforcement—find their way to the shore aided by tides and currents.</p>

<p>In June, the US Coast Guard seized over 14,100 pounds (6,400kg) of cocaine in the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean,&nbsp;with an estimated value of $186 million.</p>

<h2><strong>Discovery's&nbsp;documentary on cocaine sharks</strong></h2>

<p>As so much cocaine was entering the waters, US marine biologist Tom Hird, who is also called ‘The Blowfish’, wanted to see whether sharks off the coast of Florida were ingesting the narcotics.</p>

<p>To find out, he made a documentary for Discovery's Shark Week called Cocaine Sharks. University of Florida environmental scientist&nbsp;Tracy Fanara&nbsp;also took part in the study, reported LiveScience.</p>

<p>For their experiment, they went to the Florida Keys archipelago to investigate reports that sharks are “high” on drugs.</p>

<p>During a dive, they found a hammerhead shark and a sandbar shark behaving awkwardly.</p>

<h2><strong>The experiment&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>To test the reports, they dropped packages that looked like bales of cocaine.&nbsp;They observed that sharks were swimming straight to the packages and biting into them.</p>

<p>"I think we have got a potential scenario of what it may look like if you gave sharks cocaine," Hird said in the film.</p>

<p>"We gave them what I think is the next best thing. [It] set [their] brains aflame. It was crazy."</p>

<p>Notably, the scientists said that they weren’t convinced whether the sharks are indeed consuming cocaine. They also don't know what the true effects of the substance on marine creatures would be.&nbsp;They said that these experiments need to be done repeatedly to draw full conclusions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We have no idea what [cocaine] could do to the shark," Hird told Live Science, adding that of the limited research that's been done, different fish appear to react in different ways to the same chemical.</p>

<p>"So, we can't even say well this is a baseline and go from here," he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He hoped that the show will lead to more research in the area, and that he'd like to carry out more tests.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Thousands of sharks off Florida coast may have become addicted to cocaine, a new study has recently revealed. According to the researchers, these marine animals have been feasting on large amounts of narcotics that are getting dumped into the ocean.

Thousands of sharks off Florida coast may have become addicted to cocaine, a new study has recently revealed. According to the researchers, these marine animals have been feasting on large amounts of narcotics that are getting dumped into the ocean. For decades, the drug peddlers have been using the Florida coast to smuggle huge bundles of cocaine from South to Central America. These bales of narcotics—which are often dumped at sea as it helps smugglers avoid law enforcement—find their way to the shore aided by tides and currents. In June, the US Coast Guard seized over 14,100 pounds (6,400kg) of cocaine in the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, with an estimated value of $186 million. Discovery's documentary on cocaine sharks As so much cocaine was entering the waters, US marine biologist Tom Hird, who is also called ‘The Blowfish’, wanted to see whether sharks off the coast of Florida were ingesting the narcotics. To find out, he made a documentary for Discovery's Shark Week called Cocaine Sharks. University of Florida environmental scientist Tracy Fanara also took part in the study, reported LiveScience. For their experiment, they went to the Florida Keys archipelago to investigate reports that sharks are “high” on drugs. During a dive, they found a hammerhead shark and a sandbar shark behaving awkwardly. The experiment To test the reports, they dropped packages that looked like bales of cocaine. They observed that sharks were swimming straight to the packages and biting into them. "I think we have got a potential scenario of what it may look like if you gave sharks cocaine," Hird said in the film. "We gave them what I think is the next best thing. [It] set [their] brains aflame. It was crazy." Notably, the scientists said that they weren’t convinced whether the sharks are indeed consuming cocaine. They also don't know what the true effects of the substance on marine creatures would be. They said that these experiments need to be done repeatedly to draw full conclusions. "We have no idea what [cocaine] could do to the shark," Hird told Live Science, adding that of the limited research that's been done, different fish appear to react in different ways to the same chemical. "So, we can't even say well this is a baseline and go from here," he said. He hoped that the show will lead to more research in the area, and that he'd like to carry out more tests. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Are sharks off Florida coast high on cocaine? Scientists find baffling results

As per a study, thousands of sharks off the Florida coast may have become addicted to cocaine. These marine animals have been feasting on large amounts of narcotics dumped into the ocean. For decades, drug peddlers have been using the Florida coast to smuggle cocaine from South to Central America. Watch this video for all details.

Are sharks off Florida coast high on cocaine?

<p>The US Secret Service on Thursday (July 13) closed its investigation into the small bag of cocaine that was found at the White House as it couldn’t find any leads as to who brought it in the first place.</p>

<p>Despite combing scores of CCTV footage and interrogating many, the agency said it was unable to determine who was responsible for this act.</p>

<p>"There was no surveillance video footage found that provided investigative leads or any other means for investigators to identify who may have deposited the found substance in this area," the agency said in a lengthy statement.</p>

<p>"Without physical evidence, the investigation will not be able to single out a person of interest from the hundreds of individuals who passed through the vestibule where the cocaine was discovered. At this time, the Secret Service's investigation is closed due to a lack of physical evidence."</p>

<h2><strong>Combed through CCTV footage&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The Secret Service said the packaging was "subjected to advanced fingerprint and DNA analysis," by the FBI crime lab.</p>

<p>The statement from the Secret Service came after congressional Republicans said they were informed in a classified briefing that the probe remained inconclusive due to lack of evidence.</p>

<p>"The investigation included a methodical review of security systems and protocols," the agency statement said. "</p>

<h2>Cocaine found in the West Wing of the White House&nbsp;</h2>

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<p>This review included a backwards examination that spanned several days prior to the discovery of the substance and developed an index of several hundred individuals who may have accessed the area where the substance was found. The focal point of these actions developed a pool of known persons for comparison of forensic evidence gleaned from the FBI's analysis of the substance's packaging.</p>

<p>"On July 12, the Secret Service received the FBI's laboratory results, which did not develop latent fingerprints and insufficient DNA was present for investigative comparisons," the statement said.</p>

<h2><strong>White House was confident of nabbing the suspect</strong></h2>

<p>According to CNN, the bag of cocaine was found on July 2 in a cubby near the ground floor entrance to the West Wing where staff-led tours of the White House pass through on their way into the building.</p>

<p>The White House was briefly shut down and the DC Fire Department was called to the scene when a powdery, cocaine-like substance was found inside a work area. It was later confirmed that the substance was cocaine.</p>

<p>Last week, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre exuded confidence that the Secret Service will “get to the bottom” of the incident.</p>

<p>(With inputs from agencies)</p>

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The US Secret Service on Thursday (July 13) closed its investigation into the small bag of cocaine that was found at the White House as it couldn’t find any leads as to who brought it in the first place.

The US Secret Service on Thursday (July 13) closed its investigation into the small bag of cocaine that was found at the White House as it couldn’t find any leads as to who brought it in the first place. Despite combing scores of CCTV footage and interrogating many, the agency said it was unable to determine who was responsible for this act. "There was no surveillance video footage found that provided investigative leads or any other means for investigators to identify who may have deposited the found substance in this area," the agency said in a lengthy statement. "Without physical evidence, the investigation will not be able to single out a person of interest from the hundreds of individuals who passed through the vestibule where the cocaine was discovered. At this time, the Secret Service's investigation is closed due to a lack of physical evidence." Combed through CCTV footage The Secret Service said the packaging was "subjected to advanced fingerprint and DNA analysis," by the FBI crime lab. The statement from the Secret Service came after congressional Republicans said they were informed in a classified briefing that the probe remained inconclusive due to lack of evidence. "The investigation included a methodical review of security systems and protocols," the agency statement said. " Cocaine found in the West Wing of the White House This review included a backwards examination that spanned several days prior to the discovery of the substance and developed an index of several hundred individuals who may have accessed the area where the substance was found. The focal point of these actions developed a pool of known persons for comparison of forensic evidence gleaned from the FBI's analysis of the substance's packaging. "On July 12, the Secret Service received the FBI's laboratory results, which did not develop latent fingerprints and insufficient DNA was present for investigative comparisons," the statement said. White House was confident of nabbing the suspect According to CNN, the bag of cocaine was found on July 2 in a cubby near the ground floor entrance to the West Wing where staff-led tours of the White House pass through on their way into the building. The White House was briefly shut down and the DC Fire Department was called to the scene when a powdery, cocaine-like substance was found inside a work area. It was later confirmed that the substance was cocaine. Last week, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre exuded confidence that the Secret Service will “get to the bottom” of the incident. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Cocaine at White House: Secret Service ends probe without finding suspect

80-year-old Joe Biden has been dogged by salacious reporting over his son Hunter's troubled private life. The trained lawyer's battle with severe drug addiction has been well-documented. The cocaine revelation immediately sparked unsubstantiated speculation in right-wing circles that the recovering drug user was somehow responsible. Trump himself jumped on the bandwagon with a typically rambling, insult-laden message.

Cocaine at White House: Republicans flag Hunter Biden's well-documented battle with drug addiction

80-year-old Joe Biden has been dogged by salacious reporting over his son Hunter's troubled private life. The trained lawyer's battle with severe drug addiction has been well-documented. The cocaine revelation immediately sparked unsubstantiated speculation in right-wing circles that the recovering drug user was somehow responsible. Trump himself jumped on the bandwagon with a typically rambling, insult-laden message. The former President said - does anybody really believe the Cocaine is for the use by anyone other than Hunter & Joe Biden? Republican leader Ron DeSantis, long viewed as the most viable challenger to twice-impeached president Donald Trump, also hit out. The Florida Governor told outkick host Tomi Lahren - a lot of us have believed, Biden administration has been blowing it on a lot of fronts.

Cocaine at White House: Cameras, visitor logs searched by Secret Service

<p>Joe Biden and his family members appear to be in a 'political soup' after cocaine was discovered in the West Wing of the White House on Sunday while the US president was away.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The rivals of Biden from the Republican Party, former US president Donald Trump and 2024 presidential candidate Ron DeSantis, launched scathing attacks on the president in the wake of the shocking discovery of cocaine.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Does anybody really believe that the COCAINE found in the West Wing of the White House, very close to the Oval Office, is for the use of anyone other than Hunter &amp; Joe Biden,” posted former President Donald Trump on Truth Social. “But watch, the Fake News Media will soon start saying that the amount found was ‘very small,’ &amp; it wasn’t really COCAINE, but rather common ground up Aspirin, &amp; the story will vanish,” Trump added, in his angry tirade on the matter.</p>

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<h2><strong>Biden administration blowing it on a lot of fronts: DeSantis&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Florida's current governor and Republican presidential hopeful DeSantis took a dig at the administration of Biden.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cocaine-in-the-white-house-found-where-west-wing-visitors-taking-tours-leave-cellphones-report-612438">Cocaine in White House found where West Wing visitors taking tours leave cellphones: Report</a></p>

<p>“I’ve long believed, I think a lot of us have believed, that the Biden administration has been blowing it on a lot of fronts. But I guess it’s a little bit more literal than even I had thought,” DeSantis said while speaking to Outkick host Tomi Lahren.</p>

<p>“I can tell you in Florida, my wife and I, we have a six, five and a three-year-old running around the governor’s mansion. So that’s not something that we see. We do have to occasionally get slime out of the carpet and get marker off the wallpaper,” he stated.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the officials of the White House and Secret Service did not reveal how the drug reached inside such a highly secured place like the White House.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: Cocaine in White House exposes America's drug problem</strong></p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2>'Addict' Hunter Biden in spotlight after White House cocaine recovery</h2>

<p>Amidst all the drama surrounding cocaine discovery, the political opponents of Biden and social media users have also been pointing fingers at Biden's son Hunter Biden who recently confessed about struggling with addiction to cocaine, in his memoir “Beautiful Things”.</p>

<p>In his memoir, Hunter Biden has talked about how he dealt with issues of substance abuse in his life, which included alcohol and crack cocaine. The son of President Biden was discharged from the US Navy Reserve in 2014 after he tested positive for cocaine, sources stated.&nbsp;</p>

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Joe Biden and his family members appear to be in a 'political soup' after cocaine was discovered in the West Wing of the White House on Sunday while the US president was away.

Joe Biden and his family members appear to be in a 'political soup' after cocaine was discovered in the West Wing of the White House on Sunday while the US president was away. The rivals of Biden from the Republican Party, former US president Donald Trump and 2024 presidential candidate Ron DeSantis, launched scathing attacks on the president in the wake of the shocking discovery of cocaine. “Does anybody really believe that the COCAINE found in the West Wing of the White House, very close to the Oval Office, is for the use of anyone other than Hunter & Joe Biden,” posted former President Donald Trump on Truth Social. “But watch, the Fake News Media will soon start saying that the amount found was ‘very small,’ & it wasn’t really COCAINE, but rather common ground up Aspirin, & the story will vanish,” Trump added, in his angry tirade on the matter. × Biden administration blowing it on a lot of fronts: DeSantis Florida's current governor and Republican presidential hopeful DeSantis took a dig at the administration of Biden. ALSO READ | Cocaine in White House found where West Wing visitors taking tours leave cellphones: Report “I’ve long believed, I think a lot of us have believed, that the Biden administration has been blowing it on a lot of fronts. But I guess it’s a little bit more literal than even I had thought,” DeSantis said while speaking to Outkick host Tomi Lahren. “I can tell you in Florida, my wife and I, we have a six, five and a three-year-old running around the governor’s mansion. So that’s not something that we see. We do have to occasionally get slime out of the carpet and get marker off the wallpaper,” he stated. Meanwhile, the officials of the White House and Secret Service did not reveal how the drug reached inside such a highly secured place like the White House. WATCH | Gravitas: Cocaine in White House exposes America's drug problem 'Addict' Hunter Biden in spotlight after White House cocaine recovery Amidst all the drama surrounding cocaine discovery, the political opponents of Biden and social media users have also been pointing fingers at Biden's son Hunter Biden who recently confessed about struggling with addiction to cocaine, in his memoir “Beautiful Things”. In his memoir, Hunter Biden has talked about how he dealt with issues of substance abuse in his life, which included alcohol and crack cocaine. The son of President Biden was discharged from the US Navy Reserve in 2014 after he tested positive for cocaine, sources stated. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

White House cocaine row: Trump says he has no doubt it was for 'use of Hunter and Joe Biden'

The discovery of cocaine in the White House has rocked the administration. The incident has not only prompted an in-depth probe but also subjected the White House to a barrage of questions as to how the drug made its way to a highly-guarded complex?

Drug menace in the US: Will White House staffers undergo drug test?

The discovery of cocaine in the White House has rocked the administration. The incident has not only prompted an in-depth probe but also subjected the White House to a barrage of questions as to how the drug made its way to a highly-guarded complex? Watch more in this interview with a Commentator on Fentanyl epidemic, Robert G Kanter.

US flags China's role in drug menace

<p>In the latest development in the probe launched into the discovery of cocaine at the White House, officials have found out that the stash of the drug was discovered near the place where "visitors taking tours of the West Wing are instructed to leave their cellphones," as per The Washington Post.</p>

<p>The Secret Service is probing how the drug ended up in the White House after the tests indicated that the substance found on the ground floor of the White House on Sunday was cocaine.</p>

<p>The staffers in the White House are authorised to give tours of the West Wing, which usually occur during the night or on the weekends.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The guests are required to go through a security check before entering the White House complex and are then asked to leave their phones in small boxes just before entering the West Wing. According to The Washington Post, the officials said that the substance was found near the boxes.</p>

<p>During the tours, the guests are shown the ground floor and the first floor of the West Wing. Guests on these tours can peek inside the Oval Office, the Cabinet Room and the Roosevelt Room.</p>

<p>A spokesman for the Secret Service, Anthony Guglielmi, as per The Washington Post,&nbsp;had previously said that the DC fire department determined that the substance, which was found in a “work area of the West Wing,” did not present a threat.</p>

<p>“An investigation into the cause and manner of how the substance entered the White House is ongoing,” The Washington Post quoted Guglielmi as saying.</p>

<p><strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/discovery-of-cocaine-in-white-house-library-prompts-secret-service-investigation-611984">Discovery of cocaine in White House library prompts secret service investigation</a></p>

<h2><strong>Where was President Joe Biden?</strong></h2>

<p>President Joe Biden, as per the report, was away at Camp David when the incident occurred, but he and First Lady Jill Biden returned to the White House on Tuesday morning.&nbsp;</p>

<p>An official familiar with the investigation has revealed that the quantity of the substance was small.</p>

<p>While concerning, this is apparently not the first instance of illegal drugs having made their way into the White House.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per The Guardian, previous revelations include rapper Snoop Dogg's claim of smoking weed in a bathroom in 2013, musician Willie Nelson confessing to smoking a joint on the White House roof during Jimmy Carter's presidency, British actor Erkan Mustafa admitting to using marijuana and cocaine during a visit to the White House amid Nancy Reagan's "Just Say No" anti-drugs campaign, and Jefferson Airplane singer Grace Slick's unsuccessful attempt to spike President Richard Nixon's tea with LSD in 1970, remarking that she believed "Tricky Dick needs a little acid".</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
&nbsp;</p>

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In the latest development in the probe launched into the discovery of cocaine at the White House, officials have found out that the stash of the drug was discovered near the place where "visitors taking tours of the West Wing are instructed to leave their cellphones," as per The Washington Post.

In the latest development in the probe launched into the discovery of cocaine at the White House, officials have found out that the stash of the drug was discovered near the place where "visitors taking tours of the West Wing are instructed to leave their cellphones," as per The Washington Post. The Secret Service is probing how the drug ended up in the White House after the tests indicated that the substance found on the ground floor of the White House on Sunday was cocaine. The staffers in the White House are authorised to give tours of the West Wing, which usually occur during the night or on the weekends. The guests are required to go through a security check before entering the White House complex and are then asked to leave their phones in small boxes just before entering the West Wing. According to The Washington Post, the officials said that the substance was found near the boxes. During the tours, the guests are shown the ground floor and the first floor of the West Wing. Guests on these tours can peek inside the Oval Office, the Cabinet Room and the Roosevelt Room. A spokesman for the Secret Service, Anthony Guglielmi, as per The Washington Post, had previously said that the DC fire department determined that the substance, which was found in a “work area of the West Wing,” did not present a threat. “An investigation into the cause and manner of how the substance entered the White House is ongoing,” The Washington Post quoted Guglielmi as saying. Also read: Discovery of cocaine in White House library prompts secret service investigation Where was President Joe Biden? President Joe Biden, as per the report, was away at Camp David when the incident occurred, but he and First Lady Jill Biden returned to the White House on Tuesday morning. An official familiar with the investigation has revealed that the quantity of the substance was small. While concerning, this is apparently not the first instance of illegal drugs having made their way into the White House. As per The Guardian, previous revelations include rapper Snoop Dogg's claim of smoking weed in a bathroom in 2013, musician Willie Nelson confessing to smoking a joint on the White House roof during Jimmy Carter's presidency, British actor Erkan Mustafa admitting to using marijuana and cocaine during a visit to the White House amid Nancy Reagan's "Just Say No" anti-drugs campaign, and Jefferson Airplane singer Grace Slick's unsuccessful attempt to spike President Richard Nixon's tea with LSD in 1970, remarking that she believed "Tricky Dick needs a little acid". (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Cocaine in White House found where West Wing visitors taking tours leave cellphones: Report

US: Will staffers undergo drug test after cocaine found in White House?

The White House was briefly evacuated Sunday evening while President Joe Biden was at Camp David. The secret service discovered suspicious powder in a common area of the west wing, and law enforcement officials say that the initial test showed the substance was cocaine. Secret Service Agents were doing routine rounds when they found the white powder in an area accessible to tour groups, not in any particular west wing office.

'Cocaine' discovered in White House by Secret Service agents, evacuations follow | Details

<p>A stash of cocaine has been found at the White House premises. As per reports, US law enforcement authorities have revealed that a preliminary field test conducted on a white substance discovered in the White House library yielded positive results for cocaine.</p>

<p>The US Secret Service is now focused on determining how this illicit substance made its way into the highly secured premises of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, as per The Guardian.</p>

<h2><strong>How did cocaine get into the White House?</strong></h2>

<p>The Secret Service is trying to find out exactly that.&nbsp;As per reports, the presence of the substance, which is currently undergoing further testing, was initially brought to notice when a firefighter from the Washington DC hazardous materials team radioed about finding a yellow bar labelled as cocaine hydrochloride. It was discovered during a routine inspection.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/too-soon-subways-insensitive-our-subs-dont-implode-sign-after-titan-tragedy-invites-criticism-611933">Too soon? Subway's insensitive 'our subs don't implode' sign after Titan tragedy angers netizens</a></strong></p>

<p>"We have a yellow bar saying cocaine hydrochloride," flagged the team as per the Washington Post.</p>

<p>Talking to the publication, Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi revealed that the discovery prompted an immediate increase in security alert levels and a brief evacuation of the executive mansion as a precautionary measure.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesperson for the Secret Service, confirmed that an investigation has been initiated to determine the cause and manner of the substance's entry into the White House.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Where was President Joe Biden?</strong></h2>

<p>President Joe Biden, as per the report, was away at Camp David when the incident occurred, but he and First Lady Jill Biden returned to the White House on Tuesday morning.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-bathhouse-provides-rent-a-dad-service-to-keep-young-boys-out-of-women-only-areas-611834">China: Bathhouse provides 'rent-a-dad' service to keep young boys out of women-only areas</a></strong></p>

<p>An official familiar with the investigation has revealed that the quantity of the substance was small.</p>

<h2><strong>Not the first time&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>While concerning, this is apparently not the first instance of illegal drugs having made their way into the White House.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per The Guardian, previous revelations include rapper Snoop Dogg's claim of smoking weed in a bathroom in 2013, musician Willie Nelson confessing to smoking a joint on the White House roof during Jimmy Carter's presidency, British actor Erkan Mustafa admitting to using marijuana and cocaine during a visit to the White House amid Nancy Reagan's "Just Say No" anti-drugs campaign, and Jefferson Airplane singer Grace Slick's unsuccessful attempt to spike President Richard Nixon's tea with LSD in 1970, remarking that she believed "Tricky Dick needs a little acid."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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A stash of cocaine has been found at the White House premises. As per reports, US law enforcement authorities have revealed that a preliminary field test conducted on a white substance discovered in the White House library yielded positive results for cocaine.

A stash of cocaine has been found at the White House premises. As per reports, US law enforcement authorities have revealed that a preliminary field test conducted on a white substance discovered in the White House library yielded positive results for cocaine. The US Secret Service is now focused on determining how this illicit substance made its way into the highly secured premises of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, as per The Guardian. How did cocaine get into the White House? The Secret Service is trying to find out exactly that. As per reports, the presence of the substance, which is currently undergoing further testing, was initially brought to notice when a firefighter from the Washington DC hazardous materials team radioed about finding a yellow bar labelled as cocaine hydrochloride. It was discovered during a routine inspection. Also read | Too soon? Subway's insensitive 'our subs don't implode' sign after Titan tragedy angers netizens "We have a yellow bar saying cocaine hydrochloride," flagged the team as per the Washington Post. Talking to the publication, Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi revealed that the discovery prompted an immediate increase in security alert levels and a brief evacuation of the executive mansion as a precautionary measure. Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesperson for the Secret Service, confirmed that an investigation has been initiated to determine the cause and manner of the substance's entry into the White House. Where was President Joe Biden? President Joe Biden, as per the report, was away at Camp David when the incident occurred, but he and First Lady Jill Biden returned to the White House on Tuesday morning. Also read | China: Bathhouse provides 'rent-a-dad' service to keep young boys out of women-only areas An official familiar with the investigation has revealed that the quantity of the substance was small. Not the first time While concerning, this is apparently not the first instance of illegal drugs having made their way into the White House. As per The Guardian, previous revelations include rapper Snoop Dogg's claim of smoking weed in a bathroom in 2013, musician Willie Nelson confessing to smoking a joint on the White House roof during Jimmy Carter's presidency, British actor Erkan Mustafa admitting to using marijuana and cocaine during a visit to the White House amid Nancy Reagan's "Just Say No" anti-drugs campaign, and Jefferson Airplane singer Grace Slick's unsuccessful attempt to spike President Richard Nixon's tea with LSD in 1970, remarking that she believed "Tricky Dick needs a little acid." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Discovery of cocaine in White House library prompts secret service investigation

The White House was briefly evacuated Sunday evening while President Joe Biden was at Camp David. The secret service discovered the suspicious powder in a common area of the west wing, and law enforcement officials say that the initial test showed the substance was cocaine. Secret Service Agents were doing routine rounds when they found the white powder in an area accessible to tour groups, not in any particular west wing office. The complex was reportedly evacuated at about 8:45 pm Sunday as fire and emergency crews were brought in to do a rapid test, which preliminarily identified cocaine. The White House was soon reopened and the powder was sent for further testing. In a statement, the secret service said the white house was closed as a precaution as emergency crews investigated. The District of Columbia fire department was called in to evaluate and determine that the substance was not hazardous.

'Cocaine' discovered in White House by Secret Service agents, evacuations follow

<p>The smuggling of drugs is a global menace law enforcement agencies across the world tackle on a daily basis. We have seen examples of drugs being smuggled in luggage, inside the bodies of passengers and by other means. But now smugglers have tried to smuggle cocaine by hiding it inside surfboards.</p>

<p>Uruguayan officials have said that the police have broken a drug ring which was smuggling cocaine hidden in surfboards. The cocaine was being smuggled from South America to Europe.</p>

<p>The officials said that the narcotics were seized after cooperative efforts by anti-drug police in Uruguay, Italy, Spain and Portugal. They said that so far, three Italian citizens have been arrested. Two of them were in Portugal and one in Italy.</p>

<p>"Operation Iris is unprecedented in our country because of the scope and significance of international cooperation," National Police Director Jose Manuel Azambuya said in a conference in which authorities from other countries participated via video link.</p>

<p>The police said that sniffer dogs from an Uruguayan anti-drug unit signalled that there was something suspicious in a package with the six surfboards on May 23. Cocaine was found inside the surfboards.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Five of the surfboards were stuffed with a total of 90 pounds (40.6 kilograms) of cocaine. The sixth surfboard was allowed to pass through so that authorities in Europe could track who was receiving the narcotics.</p>

<p>Two people who went to pick up the package were arrested by Portuguese police. The package had transited through Spain on June 7. The remaining surfboard held about 20 pounds (9.3 kilos) of cocaine, police said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In Italy, an Italian citizen who sent the surfboards from Uruguay was arrested in Italy on June 11. A police statement reportedly said that he is awaiting extradition to stand trial in Uruguay.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Uruguay, sandwiched between Argentina and Brazil, has become in recent years a major transit point for cocaine from Colombia and Peru bound for Europe.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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The smuggling of drugs is a global menace law enforcement agencies across the world tackle on a daily basis. We have seen examples of drugs being smuggled in luggage, inside the bodies of passengers and by other means.

The smuggling of drugs is a global menace law enforcement agencies across the world tackle on a daily basis. We have seen examples of drugs being smuggled in luggage, inside the bodies of passengers and by other means. But now smugglers have tried to smuggle cocaine by hiding it inside surfboards. Uruguayan officials have said that the police have broken a drug ring which was smuggling cocaine hidden in surfboards. The cocaine was being smuggled from South America to Europe. The officials said that the narcotics were seized after cooperative efforts by anti-drug police in Uruguay, Italy, Spain and Portugal. They said that so far, three Italian citizens have been arrested. Two of them were in Portugal and one in Italy. "Operation Iris is unprecedented in our country because of the scope and significance of international cooperation," National Police Director Jose Manuel Azambuya said in a conference in which authorities from other countries participated via video link. The police said that sniffer dogs from an Uruguayan anti-drug unit signalled that there was something suspicious in a package with the six surfboards on May 23. Cocaine was found inside the surfboards. Five of the surfboards were stuffed with a total of 90 pounds (40.6 kilograms) of cocaine. The sixth surfboard was allowed to pass through so that authorities in Europe could track who was receiving the narcotics. Two people who went to pick up the package were arrested by Portuguese police. The package had transited through Spain on June 7. The remaining surfboard held about 20 pounds (9.3 kilos) of cocaine, police said. In Italy, an Italian citizen who sent the surfboards from Uruguay was arrested in Italy on June 11. A police statement reportedly said that he is awaiting extradition to stand trial in Uruguay. Uruguay, sandwiched between Argentina and Brazil, has become in recent years a major transit point for cocaine from Colombia and Peru bound for Europe. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Surfboards stuffed with cocaine bound for Europe seized in Uruguay

Drug use among Nigerian youths has become a growing concern in recent years. The statistics are alarming, with over 11% of young Nigerians engaging in the abuse of hard drugs such as syrup, tramadol, diazepam, cocaine, and shisha mix. Why is this proving to be a menace for authorities in the West African country? Our correspondent Louisa Olaniyi sent us this report.

Growing drug menace in Nigeria

<p>"Carlos," a 36-year-old coca grower in Colombia, is stuck hanging onto kilos of the valuable paste used to make cocaine stashed under his bed.</p>

<p>Normally, the illegal cache would be worth thousands of dollars, but a sudden dearth of buyers has&nbsp;left him high and dry and concerned about the future of his children.</p>

<p>Carlos is not his real name -- the grower wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals from armed groups operating near his farm in Llorente in Colombia's southern Narino department, where increasing numbers of small-scale coca producers worry where their next meal will come from.</p>

<p>Their hands covered in scratches, groups of "raspachines" or expert coca pickers, advance at great speed through the sea of green crops in Llorente.</p>

<p>Once harvested, the coca leaves reach Carlos, who cooks them, along with a mixture of chemicals, on a small stove until they yield a white substance.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Cultivating his two hectares had cost him about $660, Carlos told AFP, and normally he would be able to sell the product for about $4,000.</p>

<p>But with a dip in demand and historically low prices, he has so far sold only $154's worth. At the end of the trading chain, the cocaine made with his paste would be worth millions.</p>

<p>"Prices are (very) bad," Carlos told AFP in his small, makeshift lab.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The only option is to keep it (the paste)," in the hopes that prices, and demand, will pick up.</p>

<h2><strong>Illegal, but crucial&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Experts say the rise of synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, an "overproduction" of coca, changing consumer habits and several recent blows to Colombia's powerful drug cartels could all be contributing to the price drop.</p>

<p>Colombia remains the world's largest producer of cocaine -- of which coca is the main ingredient -- and the United States its biggest buyer.</p>

<p>Coca cultivation is illegal, but a mainstay for many in the South American country of 50 million people.</p>

<p>Some 250,000 Colombian families depend on coca for a living -- about 1.5 per cent of the population, according to official figures.&nbsp;</p>

<p>All along the country's Pacific coast, however, coca growers have seen their incomes plummet since the beginning of the year.</p>

<p>The region, under the yoke of armed and violent dissidents of the FARC guerrilla group that disarmed in 2017, is where about 44 per cent of Colombia's 204,000 hectares of coca was grown in 2021, according to the UN.</p>

<p>"At this time, the coca economy is not yielding a lot to survive on," grower Nilson Solis told AFP among his crops outside the town of Olaya Herrera, also near the Pacific coast.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Residents say the price for a kilogram of coca paste has dropped from about $695 to $440 in just a few months.</p>

<h2><strong>'Not a lot'</strong></h2>

<p>It appears ironic that growers are struggling: Colombia broke its own record of land under coca cultivation two years ago, according to the latest available UN report.</p>

<p>Colombian government official Felipe Tascon said rising conflict between drug cartels and other armed groups fighting over resources and terrain may have made it more difficult to move product.</p>

<p>Julian Quintero, head of an NGO working to reduce risk from psychoactive drug use, said "overproduction" is also likely contributing to the drop in demand.</p>

<p>Coca has ever more "alkalinity and yield," which means less of it is needed to produce cocaine, he said.</p>

<p>And Rival drugs such as ecstasy are gaining ground among younger pleasure seekers, Quintero added.</p>

<p>Colombia's new leftist President Gustavo Petro visited Olaya Herrera this month, where he met community leaders and speculated that lower demand may also have to do "with the fact that Americans have changed their consumption, their tastes."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, more powerful and addictive than cocaine, are proliferating in the United States.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Petro has criticised the US-led "war on drugs" that has criminalised and impoverished rural Colombians, and has mooted an amnesty for drug traffickers willing to give themselves up and abandon the trade.</p>

<p>He has also proposed purchasing arable land to redistribute to small farmers to make a living from legal crops, free from the violent yoke of the drug gangs they rely on to make a living.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, farmers like Solis are looking for alternatives as hunger stares more and more coca growers in the face. He is considering taking up illegal logging.</p>

<p>"When we take stock, we have nothing left," he told AFP.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Barely enough to buy a pound of rice and a little oil."</p>

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"Carlos," a 36-year-old coca grower in Colombia, is stuck hanging onto kilos of the valuable paste used to make cocaine stashed under his bed. Normally, the illegal cache would be worth thousands of dollars, but a sudden dearth of buyers has left him high and dry and concerned about the future of his children.

"Carlos," a 36-year-old coca grower in Colombia, is stuck hanging onto kilos of the valuable paste used to make cocaine stashed under his bed. Normally, the illegal cache would be worth thousands of dollars, but a sudden dearth of buyers has left him high and dry and concerned about the future of his children. Carlos is not his real name -- the grower wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals from armed groups operating near his farm in Llorente in Colombia's southern Narino department, where increasing numbers of small-scale coca producers worry where their next meal will come from. Their hands covered in scratches, groups of "raspachines" or expert coca pickers, advance at great speed through the sea of green crops in Llorente. Once harvested, the coca leaves reach Carlos, who cooks them, along with a mixture of chemicals, on a small stove until they yield a white substance. Cultivating his two hectares had cost him about $660, Carlos told AFP, and normally he would be able to sell the product for about $4,000. But with a dip in demand and historically low prices, he has so far sold only $154's worth. At the end of the trading chain, the cocaine made with his paste would be worth millions. "Prices are (very) bad," Carlos told AFP in his small, makeshift lab. "The only option is to keep it (the paste)," in the hopes that prices, and demand, will pick up. Illegal, but crucial Experts say the rise of synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, an "overproduction" of coca, changing consumer habits and several recent blows to Colombia's powerful drug cartels could all be contributing to the price drop. Colombia remains the world's largest producer of cocaine -- of which coca is the main ingredient -- and the United States its biggest buyer. Coca cultivation is illegal, but a mainstay for many in the South American country of 50 million people. Some 250,000 Colombian families depend on coca for a living -- about 1.5 per cent of the population, according to official figures. All along the country's Pacific coast, however, coca growers have seen their incomes plummet since the beginning of the year. The region, under the yoke of armed and violent dissidents of the FARC guerrilla group that disarmed in 2017, is where about 44 per cent of Colombia's 204,000 hectares of coca was grown in 2021, according to the UN. "At this time, the coca economy is not yielding a lot to survive on," grower Nilson Solis told AFP among his crops outside the town of Olaya Herrera, also near the Pacific coast. Residents say the price for a kilogram of coca paste has dropped from about $695 to $440 in just a few months. 'Not a lot' It appears ironic that growers are struggling: Colombia broke its own record of land under coca cultivation two years ago, according to the latest available UN report. Colombian government official Felipe Tascon said rising conflict between drug cartels and other armed groups fighting over resources and terrain may have made it more difficult to move product. Julian Quintero, head of an NGO working to reduce risk from psychoactive drug use, said "overproduction" is also likely contributing to the drop in demand. Coca has ever more "alkalinity and yield," which means less of it is needed to produce cocaine, he said. And Rival drugs such as ecstasy are gaining ground among younger pleasure seekers, Quintero added. Colombia's new leftist President Gustavo Petro visited Olaya Herrera this month, where he met community leaders and speculated that lower demand may also have to do "with the fact that Americans have changed their consumption, their tastes." Synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, more powerful and addictive than cocaine, are proliferating in the United States. Petro has criticised the US-led "war on drugs" that has criminalised and impoverished rural Colombians, and has mooted an amnesty for drug traffickers willing to give themselves up and abandon the trade. He has also proposed purchasing arable land to redistribute to small farmers to make a living from legal crops, free from the violent yoke of the drug gangs they rely on to make a living. Meanwhile, farmers like Solis are looking for alternatives as hunger stares more and more coca growers in the face. He is considering taking up illegal logging. "When we take stock, we have nothing left," he told AFP. "Barely enough to buy a pound of rice and a little oil." WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Cocaine price crash a blow for Colombian coca growers

<p>Colombian Navy has seized what is claimed to be the largest narco-submarine ever found in the country.</p>

<p>The "narco sub", which is some 30 metres (100 feet) long and three metres wide, was intercepted in the Pacific Ocean while on its way to Central America on Friday.</p>

<p>These homemade narco-submarines travel just below the water’s surface, allowing them to cover long distances while evading detection.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Colombian laws penalise use, construction, commercialisation, possession, and transportation of these semi-submersibles, with up to 14 years in prison.</p>

<p>The vessel was carrying a staggering three tonnes of cocaine, which will fetch around $103 million in the market, the navy said, according to reports.</p>

<p>The Central America sea route is commonly used by peddlers for drug smuggling into the United States—the world’s largest consumer of Colombian cocaine.</p>

<p>The navy also detained three crew members—aged 45, 54 and 63—who are all Colombians. They claimed that they were "forced by a drug trafficking organisation" to take the sub to Central America, the navy said in a statement.</p>

<p>The images released by authorities showed that the dark-coloured submarine was carrying numerous packages of narcotics cleverly camouflaged with Toyota labels.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Local media reports stated that Friday’s seizure was one the biggest in the country since Colombia began keeping track in 1993.</p>

<p>Over the past three decades, the Colombian Navy has intercepted a total of 228 similar vessels used to transport large quantities of drugs from the Pacific Ocean to the United States or even across the Atlantic to Europe.</p>

<p>The three suspects were later transported to Tumaco in southern Colombia to face legal proceedings.</p>

<p>Though the enforcement authorities have been able to successfully crack down on drug mafia, the trade still runs uninterrupted in Colombia, with record levels of cocaine production reported.</p>

<p>In 2021, around 204,000 hectares of coca crops were cultivated, resulting in the production of approximately 1,400 tons of cocaine hydrochloride, according to the United Nations.</p>

<p>The fight against drug trafficking remains an ongoing struggle, with profound impacts on the country and the international community.</p>

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Colombian Navy has seized what is claimed to be the largest narco-submarine ever found in the country. The "narco sub", which is some 30 metres (100 feet) long and three metres wide, was intercepted in the Pacific Ocean while on its way to Central America on Friday.

Colombian Navy has seized what is claimed to be the largest narco-submarine ever found in the country. The "narco sub", which is some 30 metres (100 feet) long and three metres wide, was intercepted in the Pacific Ocean while on its way to Central America on Friday. These homemade narco-submarines travel just below the water’s surface, allowing them to cover long distances while evading detection. Colombian laws penalise use, construction, commercialisation, possession, and transportation of these semi-submersibles, with up to 14 years in prison. The vessel was carrying a staggering three tonnes of cocaine, which will fetch around $103 million in the market, the navy said, according to reports. The Central America sea route is commonly used by peddlers for drug smuggling into the United States—the world’s largest consumer of Colombian cocaine. The navy also detained three crew members—aged 45, 54 and 63—who are all Colombians. They claimed that they were "forced by a drug trafficking organisation" to take the sub to Central America, the navy said in a statement. The images released by authorities showed that the dark-coloured submarine was carrying numerous packages of narcotics cleverly camouflaged with Toyota labels. Local media reports stated that Friday’s seizure was one the biggest in the country since Colombia began keeping track in 1993. Over the past three decades, the Colombian Navy has intercepted a total of 228 similar vessels used to transport large quantities of drugs from the Pacific Ocean to the United States or even across the Atlantic to Europe. The three suspects were later transported to Tumaco in southern Colombia to face legal proceedings. Though the enforcement authorities have been able to successfully crack down on drug mafia, the trade still runs uninterrupted in Colombia, with record levels of cocaine production reported. In 2021, around 204,000 hectares of coca crops were cultivated, resulting in the production of approximately 1,400 tons of cocaine hydrochloride, according to the United Nations. The fight against drug trafficking remains an ongoing struggle, with profound impacts on the country and the international community. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Colombian Navy intercepts ‘largest ever’ narco-submarine in history with three tonnes of cocaine

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<p>The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has said that the global supply of cocaine is at record levels. In its "Global Report on Cocaine 2023," the UNODC said the surge is partly a result of an expansion in cocoa bush cultivation, which doubled between 2013 and 2017, hit a peak in 2018 and rose sharply again in 2021. But this surge is also because of improvements in the process of conversion from cocoa bush cocaine hydrochloride.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The UNODC said that the Covid pandemic had a disruptive effect on drug markets.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/colombian-navy-seizes-semi-submersible-craft-carrying-tonnes-of-cocaine-discovers-two-bodies-572068">Colombian navy seizes semi-submersible craft carrying tonnes of cocaine, finds two bodies</a></strong></p>

<p>"With international travel severely curtailed, producers struggled to get their product to market. Night clubs and bars were shut as officials ramped up their&nbsp;attempts to control the virus, causing demand to slump for drugs like cocaine that are often associated with those settings," it said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, most recent data suggests this slump had little impact on long-term trends.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"In parallel, there has been a continuing growth in demand, with most regions showing steadily rising numbers of users over the past decade. Although these increases can be partly explained by population growth, there is also a rising prevalence of cocaine use," the UNODC said in its report.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It further pointed out that interceptions by law enforcement agencies have also been on the rise "at a higher speed than production (of cocaine), meaning that interdiction has contained the growth of the global amount of cocaine available for consumption."</p>

<p>North America and Western and Central Europe remain the largest destination markets for cocaine, but data suggested that new markets are the fastest growing. Africa and Asia have emerged as potentially developing markets.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Africa</strong></h2>

<p>The UNODC said in its 2023 report that Africa continues to play a significant part in the global cocaine market. "While an important aspect of this is its role in as a transit region, this role has also likely contributed to the development of local markets," it added. The drugs agency said that the prevalence of past-year use for Africa overall is estimated at 0.27 per cent as of 2020, an average level significantly less than the Americas, Europe and Oceania, but above Asia (0.07 per cent).&nbsp;</p>

<p>"However, Africa remains the region most affected by a lack of data on drug supply and demand and any estimate is affected by a high level of uncertainty," the report said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Citing seizure data, the UNODC said the role of Africa, especially West and Central Africa, as a transit zone for cocaine on its way to destination markets such as Europe has expanded substantially starting in 2019.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Asia</h2>

<p>When it comes to Asia, the UNODC said the indications of cocaine use and trafficking in East and South-East Asia are limited and point mainly to moderate levels of use in specific urban pockets, and to the exploitation of some countries in this subregion as transit points for cocaine trafficked towards urban consumer centres or other destination markets.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"However, this subregion accounts for a large share of the world’s population and a number of these countries have experienced strong economic growth, creating a burgeoning middle class which could be susceptible to the initiation of cocaine use," the report said.&nbsp;</p>

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The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has said that the global supply of cocaine is at record levels. In its "Global Report on Cocaine 2023," the UNODC said the surge is partly a result of an expansion in cocoa bush cultivation, which doubled between 2013 and 2017, hit a peak in 2018 and rose sharply again in 2021.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has said that the global supply of cocaine is at record levels. In its "Global Report on Cocaine 2023," the UNODC said the surge is partly a result of an expansion in cocoa bush cultivation, which doubled between 2013 and 2017, hit a peak in 2018 and rose sharply again in 2021. But this surge is also because of improvements in the process of conversion from cocoa bush cocaine hydrochloride. The UNODC said that the Covid pandemic had a disruptive effect on drug markets. ALSO READ | Colombian navy seizes semi-submersible craft carrying tonnes of cocaine, finds two bodies "With international travel severely curtailed, producers struggled to get their product to market. Night clubs and bars were shut as officials ramped up their attempts to control the virus, causing demand to slump for drugs like cocaine that are often associated with those settings," it said. However, most recent data suggests this slump had little impact on long-term trends. "In parallel, there has been a continuing growth in demand, with most regions showing steadily rising numbers of users over the past decade. Although these increases can be partly explained by population growth, there is also a rising prevalence of cocaine use," the UNODC said in its report. It further pointed out that interceptions by law enforcement agencies have also been on the rise "at a higher speed than production (of cocaine), meaning that interdiction has contained the growth of the global amount of cocaine available for consumption." North America and Western and Central Europe remain the largest destination markets for cocaine, but data suggested that new markets are the fastest growing. Africa and Asia have emerged as potentially developing markets. Africa The UNODC said in its 2023 report that Africa continues to play a significant part in the global cocaine market. "While an important aspect of this is its role in as a transit region, this role has also likely contributed to the development of local markets," it added. The drugs agency said that the prevalence of past-year use for Africa overall is estimated at 0.27 per cent as of 2020, an average level significantly less than the Americas, Europe and Oceania, but above Asia (0.07 per cent). "However, Africa remains the region most affected by a lack of data on drug supply and demand and any estimate is affected by a high level of uncertainty," the report said. Citing seizure data, the UNODC said the role of Africa, especially West and Central Africa, as a transit zone for cocaine on its way to destination markets such as Europe has expanded substantially starting in 2019. Asia When it comes to Asia, the UNODC said the indications of cocaine use and trafficking in East and South-East Asia are limited and point mainly to moderate levels of use in specific urban pockets, and to the exploitation of some countries in this subregion as transit points for cocaine trafficked towards urban consumer centres or other destination markets. "However, this subregion accounts for a large share of the world’s population and a number of these countries have experienced strong economic growth, creating a burgeoning middle class which could be susceptible to the initiation of cocaine use," the report said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

UN drugs agency says global supply of cocaine is at record levels

<p>Colombian Navy announced on Sunday (March 12) that a semi-submersible vessel with two dead bodies and nearly three tonnes of cocaine on board was seized in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a statement, the Colombian Navy mentioned that they also found two surviving crew members, who are "in poor health". They were given medical attention to save their lives.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Navy informed that "apparently there was an accident inside the semi-submersible vessel due to the generation of toxic gases from fuel".</p>

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<p>Captain Cristian Andres Guzman Echeverry said in a video released by the navy: "These people's poor health state is presumably due to the inhalation of toxic fumes caused by fuel problems inside the boat."&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Navy added in its statement: "With this operational deployment that had foreign support, more than $87 million dollars were prevented from entering the financial structures of drug trafficking organisations that commit crimes in the Colombian Pacific and more than six million doses from circulating in the international illegal market."&nbsp;</p>

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<p>It mentioned: "The Colombian Navy will continue deploying all its capabilities to counter the scourge of drug trafficking structures that commit crimes in the Colombian Pacific."&nbsp;</p>

<p>The submersible vessel, the rescued people, the bodies, and the shipment were escorted by the navy to a port at Tumaco in southwestern Colombia, near the border with Ecuador. Navy officials said the shipment of drugs was headed to Central America.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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Colombian Navy announced on Sunday (March 12) that a semi-submersible vessel with two dead bodies and nearly three tonnes of cocaine on board was seized in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of the country.

Colombian Navy announced on Sunday (March 12) that a semi-submersible vessel with two dead bodies and nearly three tonnes of cocaine on board was seized in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of the country. In a statement, the Colombian Navy mentioned that they also found two surviving crew members, who are "in poor health". They were given medical attention to save their lives. The Navy informed that "apparently there was an accident inside the semi-submersible vessel due to the generation of toxic gases from fuel". ALSO READ | Indiana: Yellow chemical plume disperses in New Albany, investigation underway Captain Cristian Andres Guzman Echeverry said in a video released by the navy: "These people's poor health state is presumably due to the inhalation of toxic fumes caused by fuel problems inside the boat." The Navy added in its statement: "With this operational deployment that had foreign support, more than $87 million dollars were prevented from entering the financial structures of drug trafficking organisations that commit crimes in the Colombian Pacific and more than six million doses from circulating in the international illegal market." × It mentioned: "The Colombian Navy will continue deploying all its capabilities to counter the scourge of drug trafficking structures that commit crimes in the Colombian Pacific." The submersible vessel, the rescued people, the bodies, and the shipment were escorted by the navy to a port at Tumaco in southwestern Colombia, near the border with Ecuador. Navy officials said the shipment of drugs was headed to Central America. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Colombian navy seizes semi-submersible craft carrying tonnes of cocaine, finds two bodies

2.4 tonnes of Cocaine which is equivalent to half of Australia's estimated annual consumption were seized by a joint U.S and Australian law enforcement operation. The cocaine would have fetched the Mexican drug cartel that it is linked with 677 million dollars if it hadn't been seized.

2.4 tonnes of Cocaine bound for Australia linked to Mexican cartel

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