Authorities in Guinea-Bissau have seized 2.63 tons of cocaine from a plane that arrived from Venezuela, in one of the largest drug busts in recent years. The cocaine, packed into 78 bales, was discovered during a raid at Bissau’s Osvaldo Vieira International Airport on Saturday afternoon, the country’s judicial police confirmed.
The Gulfstream IV aircraft, which was used to smuggle the drugs, had a five-member crew comprising nationals from Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, and Brazil. All five were arrested and are expected to face interrogation before a regional court on Monday, according to a police statement.
The operation, codenamed “Operation Landing,” was conducted in collaboration with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre-Narcotics, highlighting the growing international cooperation in efforts to combat drug trafficking through West Africa.
West African countries have increasingly become key transit points for drug smugglers transporting cocaine from South America to Europe. The latest seizure is a stark reminder of the region’s role in the global drug trade. According to the 2024 U.N. World Drug Report, cocaine remains one of the most widely consumed drugs globally, with an estimated 23 million users.
This raid marks one of Guinea-Bissau’s largest narcotic interceptions in recent years, underscoring the nation’s challenges in confronting international drug trafficking networks.
