Drug trafficking to Cuba increased in 2021

At Havana airport, more than forty individuals involved in this type of activities were detained.

Cuba is on the route of major drug trafficking operations, originating from several countries in South America and the Caribbean, with the United States as the main destination. Therefore, it is not surprising that drug shipments land on its coasts. However, last year this activity was greater than in previous periods. Authorities confiscated more than 4000 kilograms of drugs, mainly marijuana. Five boats involved in this activity were also seized.

Data provided by the Ministry of the Interior (Minint), and published by the official newspaper Granma, indicate that this was due to a "complex network of international drug trafficking in the region and its impact on the Caribbean. As well as the existence of routes close to Cuban territory and the arrival of packages carried by ocean currents, which represents a potential danger for the coordination of internal trafficking.

Also within the country

At José Martí Airport in Havana, 41 people, both foreigners and nationals, were detained for similar reasons. But internally there was also drug trafficking, and authorities detailed that in 2021, 97 plantations were discovered in different areas of the country, resulting in the destruction of more than 30,000 plants and nearly 50,000 marijuana seeds.

According to information from the Minint, there is "the persistence and intentionality of Cuban emigrants and foreigners to organize drug operations, with the support of Cuban citizens. In response, they have rearranged and diversified their actions, using unaccompanied shipments, postal deliveries, and the use of speedboats.

According to Granma, specialized Cuban forces managed to dismantle a criminal network organized by Cubans from Mexico, which had branches in Panama, Costa Rica, and Cuba. The purpose was to introduce marijuana, cocaine, and methamphetamines, using passengers, cargo, and speedboats in combined human trafficking and drug trafficking operations. The operation resulted in 26 people arrested, 303.37 kilograms of drugs seized, and one speedboat captured.

The report continues by indicating that two other naval vessels related to human trafficking and drug operations directed at Cuba, from Mexico, the US, and Jamaica, were seized. In these cases, large volumes of marijuana and synthetic cannabinoids were confiscated, according to the official outlet Granma.

During 2021, two other speedboats with six crew members from the Bahamas were also caught, carrying more than 1000 kg of marijuana, although in this last case the destination was not our country.