Massive Cocaine Seizure in Guinea-Bissau: Plane from Venezuela Intercepted

Guinea-Bissau authorities intercepted 2.63 tons of cocaine on a flight from Venezuela. The plane's five-member crew, including nationals from Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, and Brazil, was arrested. The operation, conducted with U.S. DEA support, highlights West Africa's role in drug trafficking routes between South America and Europe.

In a significant anti-drug operation, Guinea-Bissau police seized 2.63 tons of cocaine aboard a flight from Venezuela. The judicial police reported that 78 bales of drugs were confiscated during a Saturday afternoon raid at Bissau's Osvaldo Vieira International Airport.

The entire five-member crew of the aircraft, including the pilot, was arrested. The crew consisted of two Mexican nationals along with citizens from Colombia, Ecuador, and Brazil. They are set to appear before a regional court for interrogation on Monday.

The raid, named "Operation Landing," was executed in collaboration with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre-Narcotics. West Africa is frequently used as a transit point for cocaine smuggling from South America to Europe. The seizure is one of the largest in recent years, reflecting the ongoing global issue of cocaine use, which has an estimated 23 million users worldwide according to the 2024 U.N. World Drug Report.

(With inputs from agencies.)