Cocaine traffickers sink to new depths
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Colombian police found a submarine, capable of smuggling up to 200 tons of cocaine, hidden high in the Andes on the day Interpol said world consumption of the drug had doubled in the past five years.
Colombian police found a submarine, capable of smuggling up to 200 tons of cocaine, hidden high in the Andes on the day Interpol said world consumption of the drug had doubled in the past five years.
The partly-built vessel was found in a warehouse 20 miles from the capital, Bogota. Officials said Russian documents were also found.
Although two-man submarines have been used recently to take cocaine shipments up the Pacific coast, the size and complexity of the 100-foot vessel dumbfounded investigators. Leo Arreguin, of the US Drug Enforcement Administration, said: "In 32 years I've never seen anything like this ... we're talking about being able to load up to 200 tons of cocaine in this submarine."
US intelligence recently detected an alliance of Russian military figures, crime bosses, diplomats and revolutionaries that has been moving cocaine to the former Soviet Union in return for weaponry.
No arrests have been made. The authorities said two Americans may be linked with the Russian arms traders.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments