Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Colombia, US Seize Cocaine Valued at More Than $200 Million in Joint
Operation

VOA News

   Colombia says it has seized more than 7.5 tons of cocaine worth $286
   million in a joint operation with the United States.

   Colombia Defense Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo said the cocaine was
   seized inside a Colombian-flagged vessel near Panama.

   Trujillo said the drugs were mixed with a construction product and
   smuggled from Colombia's coastal city of Cartagena bound for the port
   of Colon in Panama.

   Authorities said the drugs are tied to the Gulf Clan organized armed
   group, with an eventual destination to Central America and Europe.

   There was no immediate word of any arrests.

   Although Colombia has been the focus of years of anti-narcotics
   measures, the country remains one of the world's top cocaine producers.

.