El Salvador burns £55 million in cocaine to fight drug cartels

The authorities of El Salvador are intensifying their efforts against drug smugglers. In May, police officers seized nearly three tonnes of cocaine. To prevent further trafficking, the officers decided to burn the confiscated drugs. The total value of the incinerated cocaine was almost £55 million.

Central and South American countries have been grappling with the drug crisis for years. Cartels operating within these regions continue to grow in power, leading to violent conflicts on the streets. Countries particularly associated with the drug trade are Colombia and Mexico, but the smuggling and distribution of illegal substances extend far beyond. Cocaine and other drugs are primarily smuggled into the United States and Europe, but powerful drug lords manage to find customers globally.

The presidents and governments of Central and South American countries are striving to combat the cartels, often at significant personal risk. The likelihood of an "accidental" death increases in direct proportion to the level of involvement in the fight against these criminals. The authorities of El Salvador have launched an intense battle against smugglers. Police officers in the country, which borders Guatemala and Honduras, seized 2.7 tonnes of cocaine in May.

The drugs were seized on May 10, approximately 1,012 miles from the country’s coast. The smugglers were identified as two citizens of Colombia, two of Ecuador, and three of Mexico. The 2.7 tonnes of cocaine found on their boat were subsequently secured. The Office of the Attorney General of El Salvador reported that the drugs, with a total value of £53 million, were burned on Monday, June 10, in the city of Ilopango, east of the country's capital, San Salvador.

The authorities of El Salvador have not disclosed the charges and penalties that the detained smugglers face. This operation is part of the broader fight against drug gangs, initiated over two years ago by the country’s president, Nayib Bukele. In 2023, Bukele declared El Salvador the "safest" nation on the continent, and his initiatives aim to eradicate drug trafficking and transportation.