E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
William Fernando Martinez / AP
Police officers walk next to a seized homemade fiberglass semi-submersible during a presentation to the press in Puerto Escondido, Colombia, Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011. According to police, the semi-submersible was seized from drug traffickers during an operation in Puerto Escondido Monday.
Leonardo Muñoz / EPA
Members of Colombia´s anti drugs police stand guard over a submersible which belongs to criminal gang "Los Urabeños", seized in Puerto Escondido, Colombia, 18 October 2011. The boat, made out of fiberglass, has a capacity of six tons of cocaine.
William Fernando Martinez / AP
A cameraman works inside a seized homemade fiberglass semi-submersible during a presentation to the press in Puerto Escondido, Colombia, Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011.
Leave a Comment:
Why build one..with all the $BILLIONS they have buy a use one from Russia, they have plenty for sale that goes way underwater not semi-submersible.
Even can get a captain with it..for right price.
why build them in Colombia, bet they can be made cheaper and faster in China.
They would sink.
Colombian Police or U.S.A. Rangers. Colombia is in with the cartel all they know is make drugs and send it to U.S.A.
If this was discovered, it is likely being used as cover for other operations. I would guess a cartel 'gave-up' this craptastic sub, just so they could keep the real tech running the drugs.
Yet they cannot reckon how to make an honest, blood-free income?
sure they could make blood free income but frankly why bother? There are huge riches in moving that much cocaine into the US, it is a "disposable" sub once in the US will never be used again. What we need to do is find a way to make it less profitable perhaps legalize (no im not in favor of this, am with pot but this no) in order to stop this shipping. If there is still tons of money to be made they will still have tons of money to put into shipping technology.
I agree also with pot but this stuff will burn your mind out, make you kill or steal to get it. i say do like they did in the old days cut a hand off and next time you are caught with meth, coke, crank or any thing that is not natural then you loose other hand and next time life.
natural? depends on one's point of view, coke is natural.....
Coke is refined and concentrated from its original form, so its not really natural, not like MJ.
natural doesn't make a substance better or worse. Botulism is caused by a natural bacteria. Alcohol is a completely natural chemical made by natural yeast. Opium is totally natural. Methadone is synthetic. Everything I mentioned can be made artificially as well.
The argument of natural vs. synthesized is not as watertight as one might believe. Strains of marjiuana have been genetically bred for stronger, more powerful highs. In essence, it's been biologically synthesized; just not using a means that most people consider to be synthetic.
I'm all for legalization and taxation. People should be free to do what they wish in their own homes as long as they're not harming anyone. I don't like alcohol. I don't like pot. I've tried MDMA a few times and it's the only substance I actually enjoy. I don't go out driving, I don't go out clubbing or risk my health as I know my limits, I've done lots of research on the substance and well aware of the myths vs. facts. I don't use it regularly, maybe once every couple years. But why is it that some person can get rip roaring drunk legally on a regular basis?
I feel that the argument of the danger of a substance is a superficial one and it has a lot more to do with the social stigma of these substances than anything else.
This will be a great follow-up to the National Geographic special that recently aired about these cocaine submarines. Of course, this is all about "supply and demand" and (unfortunately) the druggies in the US have the demand so this will continue on and on and on....
The answer to the drug problem is to end the spectacularly failed costly Drug War.
They say the Drug War is over. Don't be fooled. As long as drugs remain criminalized the Drug War will never be over.
When is the U.S. government going to finally realize that it can't legislate morality? Many people believe the answer to solving our drug problem is to simply tell people to say "no" to drugs but after being in practice for decades now the evidence shows this has failed miserably. People have been doing drugs for thousands of years and it's never going to stop. There will always be people who do drugs and those who become addicted.
Didn't we learn from the mistakes of Alcohol Prohibition in the 1920s/30s? It didn't work then, and drug prohibition certainly isn't working now. The failed Drug War has cost the U.S. taxpayers over a trillion dollars and has been in force for over seven decades. And the real tragedy here is all of the violence that has been associated with the Drug War and illegal drug trafficking. Drugs are more readily available and the Drug War has created a black market, gangs in every U.S. state, and powerful violent cartels south of the border and in other countries.
The laws have done more damage to this country than the drugs themselves. We have created more criminals out of drug users/addicts who should really be treated as medical patients. Wouldn't we be better off spending the Drug War funding on education, drug treatment and rehabilitation instead of failed law enforcement and incarceration? And not having to build more prisons?
We need to reevaluate our position on drug use in this country. I firmly believe we should decriminalize all drugs. Legalize marijuana and regulate it like alcohol in regards to the law, and create an atmosphere that doesn't stigmatize the drug user. I would never advocate anyone use dangerous hard drugs like meth, cocaine, heroin, etc. But the fact of life remains people will choose to use such drugs and become addicted. Countries in Europe have tried different strategies that have reduced the problems associated with drug use. Why can't the U.S. take these same approaches? We should adopt programs for hard drugs (meth, coke, heroin,etc.) like the Swiss heroin program (where addicts can get their drugs from medically supervised clinics) which has shown positive results in reducing violent crime and HIV infections and helps drug addicts to become stable and productive members of society.
Locking people up and throwing away the key is not the answer. When someone has a real drug problem and is addicted their main focus will always be to obtain and use drugs, regardless of any law. And putting a mark on someone's permanent record that will follow them for the rest of their lives will only hinder them to become productive members in society in getting jobs, student financial aid, etc.
There are many people against legalizing and/or decriminalizing drugs and have expressed many fears and dooms day scenarios but evidence has revealed this would simply NOT be the result. Portugal decriminalized drugs in 2001 and none of the nightmare scenarios touted by preenactment decriminalization opponents have become a reality.
And what are the ramifications of manufacturing, importing, and selling the drugs right here in the U.S? Wouldn't that create a new industry? Jobs? Tax revenue? And stop funding the violent cartels and eventually take away their power?
These are questions that I think once answered, will solve our drug problems and the days of the Drug War will be history.
You forgot to mention that Mexico did the same. Pot, cocaine, opium, LSD, heroin, meth, etc are all decriminalized for personal possession. The restrictions in place limit how much you can have and it can't be within 0.3km of a school. How's it working out for Mexico?
Well, considering the fact that drugs are still illegal here and the cartels are still as strong as ever I don't think using Mexico as an example for decriminalization is a good one. The Mexican government still has the problem of the cartels and illegal drug trafficking in to this country. So your example is null and void and can't be used as a fair representation of what would happen in this country with drug decriminalization. You are suggesting that if we decriminalized drugs here in the U.S. we would be just like Mexico today.
Have you looked at Portugal?
Do you think its the drugs that causes the problems or is it the violence and crime associated with illegal drug trafficking?
Even if drugs were criminalized today there would still be the problem of the cartels. They are just too powerful and wouldn't disappear overnight. But taking away a major portion of their funding would be a good start.
you forgot to mention one problem mexico has. it borders the planet's top drug consuming nation. and there's just, what, a river that barely goes over your ankles between the two nations? sure, that didn't affect anything down there...
Here's a fact: the US is not Portugal and it is not Mexico. But if you're trying to tell me to decriminalize everything, you must look at all nations who have dipped their toe in the water. I have looked at Portugal, the decreases seen can easily be explained by the cyclical nature of drug abuse. In other words, it is too soon to tell if such a policy will actually have a lasting impact. Plus every article I read has no mention of whether the cost of the drugs went down at all. Considering it is still illegal to traffick, I'd say it hasn't. Then there is the problem here in the US that they don't have in Portugal: who pays for rehab? I doubt tea party folks want to pay for someone who made stupid mistakes and got addicted to drugs.
Legalizing everything legitimizes cartels and increases demand. The cartels already have the infrastructure in place to distribute massive quantities. Remember, we're not just talking some mj someone can grow in a closet, we're talking stuff that takes a big support network to cultivate and/or synthesize. I want a solution as much as anybody, but I'm being realistic here.
just to clarify something: decriminalizing drugs for personal use still means that dealing is illegal. So it will have zero impact on smuggling and zero impact on crimes associated with smuggling. It just stops punishment of the consumer. The failed war on drugs would still continue. You'd just see cops carrying a scale to see if drug users were over the legal amount in their possession.
well, with legalization, you can be sure of where your product comes from and you can be sure to buy american, each time. mexican cartels do not own the marijuana market here in america. marijuana is america's top cash grossing crop, outpacing corn and wheat combined. while the mexican drug cartel does get most of its profits from marijuana, they only supply a small fraction of all marijuana in america. with legalization, it doesn't matter if they have an infrastructure set in place, they'll be shut out. who's going to actually give them a license for selling marijuana or exporting marijuana to america? known drug cartels will never be able to really legitimately sell the herb to us.
Joe, you're way out of the loop when it comes to the domestic market, dude. I have over forty years of real working experience on the subject. When is the last time you've been up in the Tri? Humboldt County, California fell to the Cartels over five years ago. The days of the domestic independent grower is no more, dude! I've lived in Southern Arizona/Mexighanistan border all my life. Got relatives on both sides if the border, both sides of the law and both sides of the issue. Know the game as we in the loop call it better than anyone posting here, especially you. Thanks to American user dollars going south of the line, the Cartels have become US citizens over two decades ago. They call them selves the RNB (Real Narco Boys) and the crap going on in Mexico is the last dogs fighting for the scraps. I've got more time south of the line than just about any so-called expert there is. Know those well placed in the game journalists will never get to talk to. We're deep in the loop here and have been for decades. Phd's on the subject and how it is played. Domestic product has been regulated for more than a pair of decades. The days of Mexican product coming over the line is starting to thin. Legal or not, taxed of not, the Cartels won't loose a dime. Bottom line is users will buy from an illegal source because it is cheaper. What you and all others posting here miss out is the Cartels theory of source exclusivity. Only a fool believes that through decriminalizing pot will shut the Cartels down. The Cartels have shut down every grower here, California, New Mexico, Texas, and wherever a crop is being grown. Even the Neo-Nasties in the northwest states have fallen, dude! This is their game. Your growers won't tell you this, but I will. This is how it is practiced; You will now sell your crop to us, you will now sell product to only those who we approve of. If not, you and your family will be buried face down. Simple, and it works. We had a family taken down in Arivaca (the southwest's capital of meth) because the dad tried to indie a deal. Rio Rico has palaces where the Citizen Cartels manage what is sold and bought. They got huge ranch properties along both sides of the border, with the best homes and toys that American users of product have paid for. Some of our folks in DC are their neighbors! Independent/domestic growers ain't got the inclination, firepower nor the dough to say no to the Cartels. California recently dropped the hammer on medicinal dealers. Do you know why, Joe? Come on Joe, the real story? Do you know why the feds shut the game down in California. WRONG! I will throw this courtesy bone just for you and folks who think like you. There was too much unaccounted product! Nothing less. We know because we've got the real working experience and are deep in the loop as to the game. Do you? Didn't think so. We had lines around the block when Arizona approved the medicinal pot despensaries of folks wanting to apply. Two days later the RNB said they were gonna regulate that too. All of a sudden no one wants to play. Every once in a while the desert coughs up a body of some fool who thought he could indie a deal. Boy, them days of hippie/independent sellers have been gone for over six years, son! Domestic product don't get grown, moved or sold without the Cartels that through American Narco dollars say so. Pot is America's top cash crop only because of the Cartels! Again, only because of the Cartel managing domestically produced product. Get it through your thick heads folks, Anything other is a sack of falsehood. Coming soon to a home near you, a home invasion. Pray the raiders don't mistake you home for some one not approved to move product. As long as folks buy product, the game will continue. Understand that the bought-and-paid-for media will have you believe it'a a Mexican thing. Cartels have been American citizens for decades!
Prisons in USA are a big, big business, thousands living out of that chunk of budget.
All prisons should be privatized.
Legalizing weed will not "shut the Cartels down". Legalizing weed would be a logical first step in taking them down. The Cartels are so powerful now it's going to take an all out war to eradicate them. But keeping pot illegal certainly isn't the answer when all that does is feed the beast.
It wont shut the cartels down, but at least if its legal I can grow it myself and not buy from them.
Mandy, again you're missing the point. Realize that a hefty percentage of the illegals here in the US are nothing more than the eyes and ears for the domestic cartels. Yes you can grow your own, but you'll never not buy from them. If it is sold, they have the control. We had a neighbor who grew a little for her own personal use. Word got out, she had some visitors that sent her to the hospital for an extended stay. She was considered not a link on their chain of distribution. Understand that just like the YACS in ID theft/cybercrimes and meth, the Tongs/Triads in sex slavery and the Mob in gaming. the Cartels are no different when it comes to SOURCE EXCLUSIVITY! If any one is gonna blow weed, grow weed, sell weed or give it away, you had better make sure it is from an approved link on their chain of distribution. This is how it's practiced here and soon to be the norm for the rest of the nation. They have a cure for ANYONE not on their chain, it's called a home invasion. Keep thinking that way. Source Exclusivity is their game and nothing else matters. It was their weed that made it to the dispensaries in California. The feds shut them down because they know that no weed is bought, sold or traded without their hand. Your sources will never tell you because they don't want to have to answer to the boys in black kicking down their front doors. Remember home invasions are done loudly because it sends a message to everyone all at the same time. Legal or not, taxed or not, they have total control of who, what, when, where, how and why product is moved and consumed. Only a fool would believe you're not buying from the Cartels. Imported or domestic product is theirs and only theirs. They will fight and kill anyone who steps in the way. Just ask Mexico's Calderon. It's only a matter of time when the fight on the other side of the line is on this side of the line. Remember, you gotta go to a heart surgeon to get heart surgery,no? No difference in getting a hit of weed from the Cartel supply chain.
cruddola,
learn to take a joke. Although, since you had such a lengthy response, I might as well respond to you.
Want to give me a stat or source for that claim?
If I were growing my own, why would I buy from them?
That just sounds like stupidity on your friend's part.
wtf are you talking about? do you seriously think they go around checking everybody's home to make sure the dope they got was from them? Its pretty hard to trace.
If I grew it, I didn't buy it from them, now did I?
I think you need to calm down, maybe try smoking some weed, it will help your stress level.
I'm just citing things as they're happening down here along the Arizona/Mexican border. You'd be surprised at what's working up to your neck of the woods. Nah, weed ain't for me. Yes, there are some folks who go around seeing who's moving dope. That's why there are home invasions. That neighbor isn't a friend, just a person who got into the stir of things. Out here pot is well managed and regulated including the harder stuff. I sensed a little humor but getting the word out is more important in that what's taken shape is here is relative to what will be attempted further north of the border. I have no stress, never knew it! Go figure...
Actually it is the federal government that is making it bloody thru prohibition.
With all the billions drug makers are making selling their drugs, I can't understand why they don't just buy their Subs from the US Sub builders at the various sub bulding sites. They can dive to much greater depths and can be built with various different defenses and can carry much more tonnage in drugs. From the way I have seen lobbyiest work Congress, I'm sure they can hire enough lobbyest to get Congress to pass laws allowing them to buy subs and operate them in our waters for a fee.
The War on Drugs is a total failure. Every public commission that has studied this war has said it is an abysmal failure.
So why don't we end the prohibition and just treat any addicts in medical and mental health facilities like we did before the prohibition? That would make too much sense. We could never go back and do anything so practical. Plus the fact that now we have this behemoth multi-billion dollar DEA that is just a ravenous money-pit that would have to be disbanded and of course it has its own agenda of self-preservation going on.
.
sure they could make blood free income but frankly why bother? There are huge riches in moving that much cocaine into the US, it is a "disposable" sub once in the US will never be used again. What we need to do is find a way to make it less profitable perhaps legalize (no im not in favor of this, am with pot but this no) in order to stop this shipping. If there is still tons of money to be made they will still have tons of money to put into shipping technology.
sorry double post and cant delete :(
Was this a manufacturing location and if so did they find any Levamisole used for cutting.
the longest war the United States of America has wage an with no end in site no end game due to the profit that the governments of Mexico an the United States are receiving, the privet prison that are being built to hold the drugs runner an pusher, this all can be stop tomorrow but the Progressive Liberals an Rhinos want a open boarder society a Mr. George Sorso is funding as long as there money to be made the war goes on an on, until all are dead or do what China did when they went down this road many year ago but they executed all the drug user, dealers an pushers end of story P.S vote these Career Professional Progressive Politicians Liberal an Rhinos out of office in 2012 for a better life for us an are children. Good day
Now that's what I call enterprising!
DAMN!!
To hell with the drug lords, but THAT was some backwoods engineer's baby.
I bet he is more heartbroken than the druglords.
OneDirtyRat...........................GREAT POST AND YOU ARE CORRECT!
Tony, coke IS natural...coke, cocaine, coca plant.
Is it okay to be impressed by some of the things they come up with to smuggle?
Because, drugs aside, this is really impressive.
There they go. Hassling the "Job Creators" again.
Fighting the drug cartels aint no laughing matter, but your comment was a real gut buster.
See the guy's face in the sub? I wouldn't show it if I were him.
what a loss, we need those drugs here in America land of the junkies home of the corrupt.
This is probably a diversion to distract the feds from the 20 or more operational subs making deliveries as this is being written. American policy aims to keep drugs off of the streets when the truth is they can't even keep drugs out of the prisons. Every year, for almost a century, America increases interdiction budgets and every year the drugs get cheaper, purer and more plentiful.
A previous post mentioned the money pit that is the DEA. If they do their job well, they don't have a job. If you are going to call it and treat it as a "war", use the military to fight it, ie. people who do not have a vested interest in the war continuing.
So....? They captured an empty sub....Should have waited a bit longer and grabbed it after it was filled up.
Drugs don't kill nearly as many people as drug laws...
More failure that is the war on drugs.
I wonder how much they spent on this nonsense operation? Only to discover theres 50 more like it being built up and down the coast. And in bordering countries, and on out lying islands, and who knows where else. Actually they didnt need to discover that, they know already. This is all for show to keep the morality police happy. The live in a delution that drugs are just a small problem among a select few people. Little do they know. LOL
This is the facts, its closer for anyone in N.America to go find any drug they might want, then to go to the closest store and buy beer. Im not joking. If you live in an apartment, theres probably 5 dealers in your building alone. And its like that EVERYWHERE, even in the smallest bible belt town. The drug culture has grow steadily since the 60's and hasnt slowed even slightly. Pot has become so mainstream, people smoke it openly now, all over the place.
Its time to stop wasting money on this crap, and tell the zealots to dry up and blow away. They can move to Iran if they want to live in a theocracy. Because people here are going to live free, and to hell with who doesnt like it or any consequence you can come up with. Everyone I know would rather be dead then live without freedom, especially personal freedom. That's why the war on drugs, never had a chance.