Brazil seizes 50 tonnes of drugs hidden in timber from Bolivia in joint operation
Brazil's Federal Police and customs authorities have confiscated approximately 50 tonnes of drugs impregnated in timber shipments from Bolivia. The Bolivian government highlighted cooperation with the DEA and Brazilian authorities.
Brazil seizes 50 tonnes of drugs hidden in timber from Bolivia in joint operation
Brazil's Federal Police and customs services carried out the seizure of approximately 50 tonnes of illicit substances hidden in shipments of timber from Bolivia on Sunday last. The operation represents another milestone in international cooperation to combat drug trafficking in the region.
Bolivia's presidential spokesperson, José Luis Gálvez, stated at a press conference that the action is the result of joint efforts between the Bolivian Police, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the customs authorities of both countries. According to him, samples of the confiscated material are being examined in laboratories in Bolivia, Brazil, and the USA, in accordance with bilateral protocols established.
Gálvez emphasised that the Bolivian government maintains a firm commitment to fighting drug trafficking. He mentioned that in the past seven months, authorities have succeeded in capturing various leaders of criminal organisations, including members of the Red Command, the First Command of the Capital (PCC), and Uruguayan drug trafficker Sebastián Marset.
The spokesperson also criticised previous administrations, asserting that some political authorities of the past would have facilitated drug trafficking operations in the country. He pointed out that one of the detained criminals had accumulated 126 years of sentences and was living freely in Bolivian territory.
This is the second large drug shipment discovered in timber exported from Bolivia in recent weeks. Recently, Chilean authorities found more than 100 tonnes of drugs using the same concealment method. The Bolivian Police and Public Ministry are investigating both cases.
Source: eju.tv
Source: Google News BO — Crime