The drugs, allegedly belonging to the Colombian drug gang Los Urabeños, were found hidden in the compartment of a speedboat bound for Central America and the United States, according to the Colombian newspaper El Espectador. Officials said that the drugs were worth an estimated US$10 million.
According to InSight Crime, the coral island controlled by Colombia "has historically been a hub for contraband products such as liquor and cigarettes, as well as a transshipment point for drugs headed to Central America via go-fast boat."
Maritime property near San Andrés was recently awarded to Nicaragua by the International Court of Justice following a territorial dispute with Colombia. Traffickers have taken advantage of the relatively weak Nicaraguan military, which made an international request for aid regarding its navy.
Los Urabeños have emerged as Colombia's top drug gang following the decline of rivals Los Rastrojos. The group, also known as the Gaitanista Self-Defense Forces, is constituted of former paramilitaries and known for violence. Colombian law enforcement recently made some headway when a top Urabeños member surrendered to authorities and gave up 17 of the organization's regional leaders to authorities.
Los Urabeños were allegedly responsible for a 1.4 ton shipment of cocaine aboard a cargo ship in September. The shipment was discovered by authorities in San Andrés.
