A coordinated effort by 62 countries has led to the largest drug bust in history, intercepting 1,400 tonnes of narcotics valued at $8.5 billion during a six-week international operation codenamed Operation Orion.
Authorities discovered a new drug trafficking route and seized six semi-submersible vessels, commonly referred to as “narco-subs,” used to smuggle illicit substances. The operation also resulted in over 400 arrests.
The coalition, which included nations such as Colombia, Australia, the United States, and several European countries, collaborated by sharing intelligence and deploying warships and aircraft to combat the narcotics trade.
The intercepted haul included over 1,000 tonnes of marijuana and 225 tonnes of cocaine, setting a world record for a single anti-narcotics operation.