America News Agency

Part of this global record haul was intercepted in a "narco-submarine" traveling to Australia on a new drug trafficking route.

During the six-week "Orion" operation, law enforcement and other organizations from 62 countries stopped six semi-submersible vessels carrying cocaine and seized a total of over 1,400 tons of drugs, including more than 1,000 tons of marijuana.

According to UN estimates, 2,700 tons of cocaine are produced annually worldwide, and Colombia's annual record for seizures was 671 tons in 2022. The seizure of 225 tons marks a significant dent in the operations of Latin American cartels.

Captain Manuel Rodríguez, head of the Colombian Navy's anti-drug unit, said: "Even considering the large volumes of drugs leaving the region, this represents a significant portion of the cocaine trade. It will prevent thousands of overdose deaths and deprive cartels of $8.5 billion in revenue, which will undoubtedly hit their profits."

The operation lasted 45 days and included halting illegal arms shipments, capturing migrant smugglers, and arresting over 400 people, with participation from institutions in the US, EU, and Australia.