Caricom’s Operation Eclipse seized US$54.5 million in drugs and contraband, IMPACS says
The four-week regional operation in May netted more than 5.2 tonnes of cocaine and uncovered aircraft dropping narcotics near borders for maritime pickup.
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago. A four-week regional security operation in May disrupted transnational smuggling networks across the Caribbean, according to the Caricom Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS).
Operation Eclipse involved 14 Caricom member states, seven associate members and international partners.
Seizures
Authorities seized an estimated US$54.5 million in illicit assets and contraband, IMPACS said. This included more than 5.2 tonnes of cocaine worth over US$44 million and 1.8 tonnes of marijuana valued at more than US$6.8 million.
Together, the cocaine and marijuana seized accounted for more than US$50 million of the overall total, making drugs by far the largest share of the haul.
Beyond narcotics, they also seized more than 6,100 cases of illegal alcohol, 191 cartons of cigarettes and 22 cylinders of banned refrigerant gas.
Officials confiscated two firearms, 65 rounds of ammunition, 13 vessels and three vehicles linked to smuggling networks, and intercepted 59 irregular migrants travelling by air and sea.
Intelligence work
The operation led to 24 seizure operations, with 59 vessels monitored and 82 active intelligence cases generated.
IMPACS said the operation focused on three areas: the Eastern Caribbean, Guyanese waters and transatlantic routes used by traffickers.
It also revealed an emerging practice of aircraft dropping narcotics near borders for later pickup by sea, the agency said.
