Colombia seized more than 7.6 tons of cocaine hidden mixed with unrefined cane sugar powder at Cartagena port. This is the largest cocaine seizure at the port in the past 10 years, preventing over 19 million doses of drugs from entering the black market.
Colombian police used drug-sniffing dogs to seize 7,646 kilograms and 400 grams of cocaine hydrochloride, or over 7.6 tons, after discovering it was mixed with panela powder—a sugar product made from unrefined cane—to conceal its transport through Cartagena port in the north of the country.
The Colombian National Police stated that this operation was conducted by the drug enforcement unit under the "Emerald" strategy, aimed at combating transnational drug trafficking. Officers detected irregularities through analysis and screening of export goods before conducting a detailed inspection that uncovered cocaine mixed in the products.
This seizure is the largest cocaine confiscation at Cartagena port in 10 years. Authorities estimate it prevented approximately 19.1 million doses of drugs from being smuggled into the illegal market, causing financial damage exceeding 42 billion Colombian pesos to criminal networks. However, public reports have not yet disclosed clear details about those behind this drug smuggling.
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