This Article is From May 23, 2016

Ecuador Captures Semi Sub Carrying Tonne Of Cocaine: Officials

Ecuador Captures Semi Sub Carrying Tonne Of Cocaine: Officials

Although Ecuador is considered free of illicit drug crops, traffickers often use the country for transporting drugs. (Representational Image)

Quito, Ecuador: The Ecuadorian authorities captured a semi-submersible vessel carrying a ton of cocaine near the Galapagos Islands, officials said on Sunday.

The navy carried out the operation together with police forces from Ecuador and Colombia, Ecuador's deputy security minister Diego Fuentes tweeted.

The vessel was intercepted off Genovesa Island, in northern Galapagos, around 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) from the Ecuadorian coast.

A coast guard vessel intercepted the semi sub north of the archipelago, the Ecuadorian navy said on Twitter. Three people were arrested.

Earlier this month, Ecuador announced it had seized some 26 tonnes of drugs, mainly cocaine, since January.

Most of the drugs, which included heroin, were destined for international markets.

The authorities seized a record of more than 79 tonnes of drugs in 2015, again mostly cocaine.

Although Ecuador is considered free of illicit drug crops, traffickers often use the country for transporting drugs and supplies for production.

The authorities seized 61.4 tonnes of drugs in 2014 and 57.4 in 2013, officials said.
 
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