On 2 April 2026 a Colombian Navy operation seized 1.7 tonnes of marijuana and captured two Costa Rican citizens in the central Pacific.[1] The action took place in waters near Buenaventura, in the department of Valle del Cauca.[1] The operation began after information was received about a boat moving suspiciously in the area.[1] A Rapid Reaction Unit of the Buenaventura Coast Guard station was deployed to intercept the motorboat.[1] A second account said the launch was intercepted very near Buenaventura with a load valued at more than 1.8 million dollars.[2]
During the inspection officers found the boat was carrying 71 sacks with 1,772 rectangular packages of the kind used for illicit shipments.[1] Communications equipment was also found among the seized items.[1] Personnel of the Fiscalía’s Technical Investigation Corps confirmed through preliminary tests that the load was 1,743 kilograms of marijuana.[1] The same account said inspection found 71 sacks holding the load.[2] Based on Navy estimates, the seizure prevented more than 289,000 doses of marijuana from reaching illegal international markets.[1] The Navy said the operation denied criminal drug-trafficking structures income of more than 1.8 million dollars.[1]
Adverse weather and several cracks in the hull let water enter and sank the boat.[1] The coast guards’ rapid action rescued both crew members and recovered the entire cargo.[1] It added that officers rescued the crew and recovered the drugs after the boat began to sink.[2] The two Costa Rican citizens and the seized material were placed at the disposal of justice while investigations continue into the origin and final destination of the drugs.[1]
