Granma newspaper reports that Cuba maintains a zero-tolerance policy against drug trafficking and is stepping up surveillance, prosecution and confrontation of this scourge. 

Havana, February 2 (RHC)-- Granma newspaper reports that Cuba maintains a zero-tolerance policy against drug trafficking and is stepping up surveillance, prosecution and confrontation of this scourge. 

According to data provided by the Ministry of Interior (Minint), in 2021 the specialized forces of the island allowed dismantling a criminal network organized by Cubans from Mexico, with support base in Panama, Costa Rica and Cuba. Cuba seized a total of 4 162.23 kilograms (kg) of drugs, mostly marijuana, captured five vessels involved in drug trafficking operations, and confiscated goods and money from these illicit activities. 

It was revealed that the largest amount of drugs seized landed on Cuban shores -- 295 packages of drugs -- an amount considerably higher than the 153 seized in 2020.   A total of 2,338.64 kg of drugs were recovered.

In the case of the island's territorial airspace, 21 international drug trafficking operations were neutralized at the José Martí International Airport in the capital, in which 67.59 kg of these substances were seized and 41 people, including foreigners and nationals, were arrested.  

In the fight against the cultivation of marijuana, 97 plantations were discovered, in which 32,868 plants and 48,521 seeds were seized.  Meanwhile, 121 acts of internal trafficking were neutralized, involving 165,63 kg. 

The permanent surveillance and timely response of the specialized forces made it possible to dismantle a criminal network organized by Cubans from Mexico, with a support base in Panama, Costa Rica and Cuba, with the intention of smuggling marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamines, using passengers, cargo and speedboats in combined human and drug trafficking operations.  As a result of this operation, 26 individuals were arrested, 303.37 kg of drugs were seized and a speedboat was captured. 

In addition, two other vessels linked to combined human and drug trafficking operations directed to Cuba from Mexico, the U.S. and Jamaica were neutralized and seized, in which significant amounts of marijuana and synthetic cannabinoids were seized.  Two other speedboats were captured with six Bahamian crew members on board, who were seized with 1,291.82 kg of marijuana, and who were linked to operations not directed to Cuba. 

The results of 2021 confirm the political will of the Cuban government to continuously strengthen the fight against the serious global scourge of drug trafficking and the prevention of drug abuse, and to prevent the use of airspace and territorial sea by international drug traffickers, with their lethal cargo destined for the main consumer markets, or to try to penetrate the country, Granma noted.