Chile surpasses 100 tonnes of drugs seized in 2026, a historic record
Chilean authorities seized 106,224 kilos of drugs so far in 2026, 63.4% more than in the same period of 2025.
Chile registers record seizures: more than 106 tonnes of drugs confiscated in 2026
According to infobae.com, the Chilean Government announced on Thursday that security forces have confiscated 106,224 kilos of drugs during 2026, representing an increase of 63.4% compared with the same period of the previous year.
President José Antonio Kast presented the figures at a ceremony held in Constitution Square, in central Santiago, alongside authorities from Carabineros and the Investigative Police (PDI).
"We are achieving a historic record this year for drug seizures, which no longer reach our young people, which no longer generate that profit for organised crime, and we are going to pursue them house by house, neighbourhood by neighbourhood," Kast declared during the event.
Of the total confiscated, Carabineros was responsible for seizing 73 tonnes, whilst the PDI contributed the remaining 33 tonnes, according to their respective authorities.
The PDI director, Eduardo Cerna, emphasised that "behind each figure there are operations, investigations, planning and police officers who carry out risky work, often silent, but essential for security".
The general director of Carabineros, Marcelo Araya, noted that at an institutional level "the line of control is reinforced. Not only the first border line, but also highways, intervention in urban centres, and to remove this tremendous scourge that drugs represent".
Kast also highlighted the social impact of the seizures: "we must be aware that each kilo of drugs less is a young person we save, the opportunity we give them to continue studying and continue growing".
Chile does not produce drugs—unlike neighbouring countries such as Bolivia or Peru—but rather functions as a destination country and distribution platform towards Asia, Europe and the United States, thanks to its numerous ports. Organised crime has become entrenched in the country over recent years through various illegal enterprises, becoming one of the Executive's main concerns.
To counter it, the Government launched in August last year an Agenda Against Organised Crime and Terrorism, which includes a package of 19 legal initiatives in proceedings in Congress, plus another ten proposals. In early October, a new security reform was submitted to the Senate, agreed upon following the withdrawal of an initial project promoted by Kast that generated controversy.
Source: Google News CL — Crime