Narcotics Affairs Section
Interdiction
Interdiction ($6M)
- 228 metric tons of cocaine and base seized in 2005
- Programs with Police, Navy, Air Force, and Army
- Gets product further up value-added chain
- Follow-up Investigations and Arrests
Colombia's public security forces prevented hundreds of tons of illicit drugs from reaching the world market through interdiction and eradication of coca and poppy crops. Colombia's police and military forces captured or shared in the capture of 223 metric tons of cocaine and cocaine base. According to preliminary reports these efforts may have led to an increase in the U.S. street price of cocaine and heroin and a reduction in purity for both. The CNP, led by DIRAN, interdicted over 228 metric tons of cocaine and base in 2005. DIRAN also conducted numerous joint operations with the military against high-value narcotics terrorist targets. Asset seizures were up by more than 500 percent and included the drugstore chain owned by the Rodriguez Orejuela brothers, valued at several hundred million dollars.
Counterdrug Brigade ($2M)
- Army unit that focuses on counternarcotics
- Advances for spray missions
- Pursues shooters of our planes
- Increasing self-sufficiency
The Colombian Army Counter Drug (CD) Brigade (BDE) seized over 3 metric tons of cocaine and destroyed 14 HCl (cocaine hydrochloride) labs and 209 base labs. The CD BDE destroyed over 168 tons of liquid precursors and 180 tons of solid precursors. They also dismantled 22 narcotics terrorist base camps and killed or captured 78 narcotics terrorists. Most importantly, they provided security for the aerial eradication efforts.
Junglas ($17M)
DIRAN's Jungle Commandos (Junglas) are air mobile units that have received significant specialized U.S. government training. The Junglas' primary mission is the destruction of HCl (cocaine hydrochloride) labs and interdiction missions. They were responsible for the destruction of over half of the HCl base labs destroyed by the CNP and a significant quantity of seizures.
- HCl (cocaine hydrochloride) labs their specialty
- Over 50 labs destroyed in 2005
- Police unit of choice for High Value Targets (HVTs)
- Police, but trained by U.S. Special Forces
Air Bridge Denial ($5M)
- Stop aerial transport of drugs through Colombia
- Seized 2 metric tons of cocaine in 2006
- 40% decrease in illegal flights in 2005 and in 2006
- Totals for 2006 show a 46 percent reduction from Jan-May period from 2005
- ABD has also destroyed 22 aircraft and contributed to the seizure of 15 MT of cocaine.
GREAS - Reconnaissance and Assault Group ($1M)
- Colombian Navy program that deals with, amongst other missions, validating intelligence dealing with illicit fast boat operations
- Multilateral with Colombia, UK, and the US
- NAS provides special training, equipment, and support
- Participates in 70+% of all Caribbean seizures
The go-fast boat is a high performance boat of a characteristic design. It is the drug smuggling boat of choice. A typical smuggling go-fast is built of solid, dark-colored fiberglass, wide of beam and with a deep "V" offshore racing hull from usually 30 to 50 feet (10 to 15 m) long. It commonly carries a ton or more of cargo, several fuel drums, a handheld Global Positioning System, perhaps a cellular telephone, and a small crew of 3-5 personnel. With between 2 to 4 250 horsepower (200 kW) engines, they travel at top speeds of 35 to 50 knots (65 to 100 km/h), slowing little in light chop and still maintaining 25 knots (50 km/h) in the average five to seven foot (1.5 to 2 m) Caribbean seas. They are heavy enough to cut through higher waves, although at a slower pace. Go-fasts are rarely detected by radar except on flat calm seas or at close range. The Colombian government Navy finds them to be stealthy, fast, seaworthy, and very difficult to intercept using conventional craft. Because of this, the Colombian government is developing its own "anti-go fast," high-speed craft designed to pursue traffickers in open seas.
The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and the Colombian Navy (COLNAV) in 2005 discussed how to further cooperation and field new initiatives to stop smugglers in the transit zone. USCG aircraft flew maritime patrol missions in support of COLNAV operations, and a USCG communications team deployed aboard a COLNAV frigate to facilitate operational communications with the Joint Inter Agency Task Force, South (JIATF-S).