Drug lab destroyed and cocaine valued at over $600,000 seized near the Colombian-Ecuadorian border
Colombian military forces have destroyed a cocaine processing lab near the Colombian-Ecuadorian border and seized cocaine worth over $600,000.
The Colombian Army conducted a significant operation aimed at disrupting drug trafficking activities along the border with Ecuador, specifically in the community of El Callejón, located in the municipality of Ipiales. During the intervention, both ground and airborne units were utilized, resulting in the discovery and destruction of a cocaine processing laboratory. This operation reflects ongoing efforts by Colombian authorities to combat narcotrafficking and terror groups that threaten regional security.
Juan José Guzmán, commander of the Twenty-Third Brigade of the Colombian Army, emphasized that military operations are intensively pursued to undermine the capabilities of terrorist groups operating in border areas. The coordinated efforts included the deployment of policing units alongside military personnel, who arrived via helicopter and tactical vehicles, following intelligence reports that led them to the rural area where the lab was found.
Jairo Urrea Rozo, commander of the Nariño Police, reported that over 440 kilograms of cocaine were destroyed during this operation. This intervention not only aims to curb cocaine production but also reinforces the Colombian government's commitment to maintaining control over territories affected by drug trafficking. The implications of this operation are significant, as they may disrupt the supply chain of narcotics and contribute to the regional struggle against organized crime.