During the first quarter of the year, the Pacific Naval Force managed to find 16,912 gallons of contraband fuel.
Colombian navy troops carrying out search and river control operations in conjunction with the National Army, in the sector of La Bocana, Municipality of Timbiqu铆, Cauca, found 3,419 gallons of gasoline-type fuel when they were being carried by six individuals of Ecuadorian nationality on board two boats, without the papers required for their transport.
The individuals noticing the work and checks carried out by the military personnel, escaped, however, and thanks to the quick operation of the military, they were arrested. At the time of the review of the ships, no documents were presented that endorsed the legality of the purchase of the fuel or its origin, so the material was put into custody of the authorities.
In this Pacific region, fuel transported illegally in large quantities is generally used by groups outlaw in the logistics chain of drug trafficking, either for the process of elaboration, supply of electricity generators in laboratories and/or supply of boats for the trafficking of illicit drugs, being one of the main precursors of this transnational crime.
Source: press-Navy of Colombia