Under Colombia’s leadership, 62 nations collaborated in a large-scale combing operation against drug traffickers, resulting in the seizure of the largest-ever shipment of heroin and the discovery of a new smuggling route.

According to international media, the two-week operation uncovered 1,400 tons of drugs hidden in six semi-submersible vessels—boats designed to remain partially submerged in water.

The seized haul included 225 tons of cocaine and 1,000 tons of marijuana. This massive bust is being hailed as a significant blow to drug cartels. The UN estimates that 2,700 tons of cocaine are produced globally each year, with Colombia’s annual seizures previously peaking at 670 tons in 2022.

Captain Manuel Rodríguez, Director of the Colombian Navy’s Counter-Narcotics Unit, called the operation a major success. “We not only saved countless lives but also prevented $8.5 billion from reaching drug cartels,” he said.

The operation also led to the arrest of over 400 individuals, the disruption of illegal arms smuggling, and the apprehension of human traffickers.

Officials revealed that the smugglers were attempting to transport the cocaine to Australia using specialized vessels via the South Pacific Ocean, employing a route near the southwestern Clipperton Island.