Colombia makes biggest cocaine seizure in its history

Colombian authorities say eight tonnes of the drug were seized on banana plantation

A Colombian police officer stands guard in front of confiscated packages of cocaine in Turbo, Colombia. Photograph: Colombian police/EPA
A Colombian police officer stands guard in front of confiscated packages of cocaine in Turbo, Colombia. Photograph: Colombian police/EPA

Colombian authorities have said they have made the biggest cocaine seizure in the country’s history.

Colombia’s national police said 50 commandos backed by helicopters seized about eight tonnes of cocaine on a banana plantation in the northwestern region of Antioquia.

It said the drug belonged to a gang known as the Clan Usuaga and was apparently destined for the Caribbean and the US.

Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos sent a tweet on Sunday congratulating police on what he called the largest cocaine seizure in the history of Colombia, a major producer of the narcotic.

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Police said they have seized more than 86 tonnes of the drug in total so far this year.

PA