Authorities in Guinea-Bissau say they have recovered 2.63 tons of coc@ine discovered on a plane at the capital’s international airport.
According to Reuters, the jet originated in Venezuela. On Saturday, at least 78 bales of cocaine were recovered, according to local media, making it the country’s greatest narcotics bust in history.
The West African country is a major transit hub for global dr_g trafficking. As a result, the United Nations has labeled it a “narco-state”.
A local publication said that the plane was registered in Mexico.
All five crew members were seized, including the pilot. Two Mexicans, one Colombian, one Ecuadorian, and one Brazilian are among those being held in custody.
The suspects were appearing in court on Monday. Authorities said the seizure, called “Operation Landing,” was carried out in close collaboration with the US Dr_g Enforcement Administration and the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre-Narcotics, a European body.
According to local reports, authorities are aiming to dismantle the entire dr_g trafficking network. Bissau’s authorities have long struggled to address the country’s role as a conduit for narcotics bound for Europe.
Since independence from Portugal in 1974, the country has experienced nine coups, leaving it with weak state institutions. Some say this has made the country a fertile ground for drug barons.
