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Colombia seizes record cocaine haul in Turbo | Colombia seizes record cocaine haul in Turbo |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Police in Colombia say they have seized their largest ever domestic haul of illegal drugs - nearly eight tonnes of cocaine. | Police in Colombia say they have seized their largest ever domestic haul of illegal drugs - nearly eight tonnes of cocaine. |
The drugs had been hidden on a banana plantation near the north-western coastal town of Turbo. | The drugs had been hidden on a banana plantation near the north-western coastal town of Turbo. |
President Juan Manuel Santos congratulated officers on Twitter, saying: "Operation in Turbo seized the greatest amount in our history." | President Juan Manuel Santos congratulated officers on Twitter, saying: "Operation in Turbo seized the greatest amount in our history." |
Police say the drugs belonged to Clan Usuga, a criminal gang. | Police say the drugs belonged to Clan Usuga, a criminal gang. |
Three suspects were arrested and another three escaped, a statement read. | Three suspects were arrested and another three escaped, a statement read. |
Nearly 1.5 tonnes of the drugs had been wrapped and were "ready to go out to the export market", Defence Minister Luis Carlos Villegas said. | |
It was the largest seizure of cocaine on Colombian territory although there may have been slightly larger cocaine seizures at sea, he added. | It was the largest seizure of cocaine on Colombian territory although there may have been slightly larger cocaine seizures at sea, he added. |
Clan Usuga is mainly engaged in drug trafficking but has also been accused of extortion, illegal mining, forced disappearances and murder, correspondents say. | Clan Usuga is mainly engaged in drug trafficking but has also been accused of extortion, illegal mining, forced disappearances and murder, correspondents say. |
Colombian police estimate the gang has about 2,000 active members. | Colombian police estimate the gang has about 2,000 active members. |
Over the past five years, the security forces have captured 6,700 members of the group. | Over the past five years, the security forces have captured 6,700 members of the group. |
Earlier this month, the Colombian government said it would launch air raids against gangs involved in drug trafficking and illegal mining. | Earlier this month, the Colombian government said it would launch air raids against gangs involved in drug trafficking and illegal mining. |
The new strategy specifically targets three gangs - Clan Usuga, Los Pelusos and Los Puntilleros. | The new strategy specifically targets three gangs - Clan Usuga, Los Pelusos and Los Puntilleros. |
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