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UNODC hails Bolivia airport cocaine bust
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Energy & Infrastructure

UNODC hails Bolivia airport cocaine bust

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Outcome reported
  • The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) praised Bolivian anti-drug agents for intercepting 163 kilograms of cocaine destined for Mexico and Panama.
  • Two separate operations at Santa Cruz Viru Viru International Airport led to the seizures, involving cocaine hidden in luggage and food boxes.
  • The UNODC highlighted the collaboration between Bolivian agencies, supported by its Aircop program, to enhance airport security and drug interdiction capabilities.

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has commended Bolivia's anti-drug agents for their successful interdiction of 163 kilograms of cocaine. The drugs were seized in two separate operations at the Santa Cruz Viru Viru International Airport, with intended destinations of Mexico and Panama.

to the frontline officers of the Viru Viru International Airport for the successful interception of two important cocaine trafficking attempts through targeted interviews and baggage inspections.

— UNODC BoliviaThe UNODC Bolivia office announced the successful drug seizures via X (formerly Twitter).

In the first incident, agents detected inconsistencies during interviews with two passengers bound for Mexico City. A subsequent baggage inspection revealed 109 kilograms of cocaine concealed within five suitcases, with the drug hidden in clothing and impregnated into the fabric.

The second operation targeted a passenger traveling to Panama City. Similar inconsistencies during questioning led to an inspection that uncovered 54 kilograms of cocaine. This seizure included both powdered cocaine and liquid cocaine, ingeniously hidden within three boxes of food products.

detected inconsistencies in the interview with two passengers traveling to Mexico City

— UNODC BoliviaDescribing the first seizure, where 109 kilos of cocaine were found.

The UNODC emphasized the effectiveness of the inter-institutional unit at Viru Viru Airport, which comprises the National Customs Service, Directorate of National Migration, and the Bolivian Police. This unit operates with support from the UNODC's Passenger and Cargo Control Program, funded by the Aircop Project. Aircop, a joint initiative with Interpol and the World Customs Organization, aims to bolster international airports' capacity to detect and intercept illicit goods and high-risk passengers, with funding from the European Union.

inconsistencies in the interview with a passenger destined for Panama City led to an inspection that allowed the seizure of 54 kilos of cocaine hidden in three boxes of food, including liquid cocaine

— UNODC BoliviaDetailing the second seizure of 54 kilos of cocaine.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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