3.3 Tons Of Cocaine Seized At Venezuelan La Guaira Seaport

Cops seized 3.3 tons of cocaine at a Venezuelan seaport, bound for Mexico.

CARACAS, Venezuela -- Security forces seized 3.3 tons of cocaine during an anti-drug operation at one of Venezuela's main seaports Thursday, a top security official said.

Justice Minister Tareck El Aissami said National Guard troops found the cocaine inside 1,680 boxes containing ceramic mix at La Guaira port. The cocaine was destined for Mexico, he said.

El Aissami told state television that two Venezuelans and a Mexican were arrested.

Venezuela has become one of South America's most important routes for smuggling drugs to the United States and Europe due to its proximity to Colombia, where most of the world's cocaine is produced and smuggled abroad by drug traffickers.

"We will continue battling to prevent these criminal organizations from using our territory," El Aissami said.

In a separate bust Thursday, National Guard troops arrested a U.S. citizen, Jose Alberto Reyes, after discovering 4 kilograms of cocaine hidden inside the man's luggage as he prepared to board a plane at La Chinita International Airport in the western city of Maracaibo, officials said. The flight was going to Madrid, Spain. Reyes' hometown in the U.S. was not released.

U.S. officials accuse Venezuela of failing to effectively combat drug smuggling through its territory.

El Aissami has said that U.S. officials should do more to stem the flow of drugs into the United States.

Also on HuffPost:

From our partners

• Porn Star Bibi Jones Gives Sex Advice To Spice Things Up In the Bedroom - BroBible.com
• Dumb British Traditions - Dumb As A Blog
• Bad Roommates: The 7 Worst Types - Guyism.com

Comments

[Capn Scott]

01:41 AM on 04/29/2012

""We will continue battling to prevent these criminal organizations from using our territory... This is our turf, and if anybody is going to be distributing cocaine around here its going to be us. The nerve of them!" El Aissami said.

[patman77]

05:30 PM on 04/28/2012

I wondered what happened to my personal stash.

[ZombieSM]

04:01 PM on 04/28/2012

Man is the CIA going to be pissed that their stash got jacked.

[The Dude67]

10:02 AM on 04/28/2012

Cocaine is a wonderful drug.  In the mid 1800s to the early 1900s doctors prescribed it widely for many ailments.  

Of course our government believes it's extremely dangerous and addictive so no coke for you.  But feel free to have some Oxycotin, Vicodin, Xanax, or any of the other hundreds of seriously dangerous Rx drugs because while they are just as dangerous and habit forming - they're patentable.  

Cheers.  You and I are not "free"; we're "managed".

[beenzrgud]

10:43 AM on 04/28/2012

Many people just use coke on special occasions like birthdays, which I don't think does much harm.
Personally I'd just like to be able to smoke a legal joint at the weekend, which I'm absolutely positive does no harm whatsoever, but of course this activity would earn no revenue for big pharma which is why it probably won't ever be allowed. Freedom is a pipedream, the world is FUBAR, and we are like rats going around and around in the same twisted little maze.
When something finally gives, this world is going to explode.

[The Dude67]

10:48 AM on 04/28/2012

You got that right brother. It's going to be a wild ride.

[maybesomeday]

07:09 AM on 04/29/2012

I totally agree with you. My great-grandfather was a chemist/pharmacist at the turn of the century when it was used frequently for patients. It was also a key ingredient in Coca Cola. People were much happier back in those days. Coke is still used in hospital settings for surgical procedures, so don't let be gov tell you it's bad for you.

I tried it in the early 80's and I did NOT become addicted to it. I could take it or leave it.

[bdl00]

06:37 PM on 04/29/2012

At the end of the day it is reliant on the person who is trying it themselves. You have people who have addictive personalities and get themselves addicted and into a right mess with their lives, then on the other end of the scale there's people who can use it responsibily and not go over board.

[kendelvalle]

12:17 AM on 04/28/2012

El Chapo is trying to establish smuggling land routes to the U.S. From Colombia to northern Mexico and then into the U.S.Land routes are the new smuggling routes.

The increased criminal activity is destabilizing many Central American countries. We will provably see U.S. spec ops forces whack him shortly before election.

[jerseyrambo]

10:32 PM on 04/27/2012

Thats alotta toot.

[travelergtoo]

09:13 PM on 04/27/2012

Good job Hugo!!!

[clintnapril2]

08:50 PM on 04/27/2012

Back in the day when I did the stuff, I coined a term for the little white ring it left on the nostril,.... "Sniffolus". It rhymes with the venereal disease.

[Mr Blutarski]

08:37 PM on 04/27/2012

Hugo was due for a re-up,,,,,nice stash........

[rebel0498]

07:13 PM on 04/27/2012

Now that the Venezuelan Government got its hands on it, Mr. Chavez will be able to bring it to the US in the diplomatic pouches. No questions asked.

[Ken Holden]

07:04 PM on 04/27/2012

So what one bust 2 others got though ! and what did this bust cost tax payers 20 undercovers for a year?

[amy carson]

01:08 PM on 04/28/2012

incoherent. ???? tax payers? you do get this was in Venezuela?

[paulw3tzi]

07:02 PM on 04/27/2012

Lower the demand and the supply will dwindle. That will not happen. Too many junkies in this country.

[The Dude67]

10:06 AM on 04/28/2012

Junkie refers to someone strung out on Heroin.  Coke fiend is the preferred nomenclature, please.

[wmechaneer]

06:24 PM on 04/27/2012

It would seem someoine didn't get his "la mordita" payment, and got really mad.

[fran glass]

06:05 PM on 04/27/2012

O.O

wow... that's a lot of coke.

[PALENO]

07:51 PM on 04/27/2012

How is it that now, the just during the few last months, El Aissami has gone to work. "BACHACO", that smells like an extra boost to Chavez. Or maybe, Chavez needs his "coca" to get on the October race. No se dejen engatuzar por esos drugies.

[Bubbagump11]

06:03 PM on 04/27/2012

I thought in Venezuela that laws allowed you to carry up to 3.4 tons?