Peruvian police destroy airstrips and drug-trafficking laboratory in Cusco

Peru’s National Police destroyed two clandestine airstrips and a clandestine drug laboratory in the Cusco region, while detaining four people suspected of drug-trafficking offenses, the institution said.

The first airstrip was located in the jungle district of Megantoni, in La Convención province. Police said the strip measured 650 meters long and 10 meters wide and had been adapted for the illegal transport of drugs. Its destruction caused an estimated 30,000 soles ($8,900) in financial losses to the criminal group, according to a police post on X.

Police also disabled a second unauthorized strip near Megantoni in a hard-to-reach area accessed by helicopter. The strip measured approximately 800 meters by 12 meters. Authorities estimated that destroying the infrastructure caused a further loss of 35,000 soles ($10,400).

In a separate operation in the Sabaluyoc sector of Paucartambo province, officers arrested four people at a clandestine drug-production laboratory. The suspects will be investigated for the illegal trafficking of chemical inputs and controlled products, drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms.

Police said they found chemical supplies, two firearms, ammunition and packages of cocaine at the site. The laboratory was destroyed and burned in accordance with legal procedures, while the detainees and seized property were placed at the disposal of the authorities.