The plane, registered in Mexico, was carrying 78 bales of cocaine, believed to be the largest drug haul ever intercepted in Guinea-Bissau. All five crew members, including the pilot, were arrested and are facing charges. The suspects, from various Latin American countries, were scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
The seizure, dubbed "Operation Landing," was conducted in collaboration with the US Drug Enforcement Administration and the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre–Narcotics. Authorities are now working to dismantle the entire network involved in the drug trafficking operation.
Guinea-Bissau has long struggled to combat drug trafficking, with its weak state institutions making it a vulnerable target for drug barons. The country's history of political instability, marked by nine coups since independence, has contributed to this problem.
In a related case, the son of Guinea-Bissau's former president was sentenced to over six years in prison in the United States for leading an international heroin trafficking ring. This incident further underscores the country's involvement in drug trafficking activities.
The seizure of 2.63 tonnes of cocaine in Guinea-Bissau is a significant blow to drug traffickers operating in the region. It demonstrates the ongoing efforts of authorities to address this pressing issue and protect the country from the negative consequences of drug trafficking. (ILKHA)