The Trump administration significantly increased the reward for the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to $50 million, alleging his involvement in narco-trafficking and collaboration with cartels to flood the US with drugs. Maduro was indicted in 2020 on federal charges, and the US previously offered rewards for his capture. Despite the US’s efforts and the condemnation of his 2024 reelection, Maduro remains in power. Following this announcement, the Venezuelan Foreign Minister criticized the move as propaganda.
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The Colombian navy recently seized an unmanned “narco sub” equipped with a Starlink antenna off its Caribbean coast, believed to be a test run by a major cocaine trafficking cartel, which has the capacity to transport 1.5 tons of cocaine. This is not the first instance of Starlink usage by drug traffickers; in November, Indian police seized a meth consignment in a remote-controlled vessel utilizing Starlink. The rise of autonomous subs, described as hard-to-detect and operated with autonomy, reflects a shift towards more sophisticated unmanned systems. The absence of a crew also removes the risk of captured operators cooperating with authorities and makes it difficult to identify the drug lords behind the shipments.
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Authorities in the UK made a significant breakthrough, seizing 2.4 metric tons of cocaine at London Gateway port. The drug shipment, originating from Panama, was concealed within shipping containers and is estimated to be worth 96 million pounds. This recent bust marks the sixth-largest cocaine seizure in UK history and underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat drug trafficking, particularly as cocaine-related deaths in England and Wales have risen.
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Jose Adolfo Macias, the leader of the Los Choneros gang, was captured after escaping from a Guayaquil prison in January 2024. Macias, known as “Fito,” was serving a 34-year sentence when he escaped, triggering widespread violence and prompting the declaration of an internal armed conflict by Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa. Following his escape, the US Department of the Treasury sanctioned Macias and Los Choneros. Ecuador is now working to extradite him to the United States.
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Jorge Hernández, a former DEA informant known for assisting in major drug cases, has been arrested and charged with wire fraud. The 57-year-old allegedly extorted millions from six drug traffickers facing extradition, promising reduced sentences he could not deliver. Hernández, who had a long history with the DEA, including testimony in a bribery trial against former DEA supervisors, is accused of taking payments in cash, jewelry, and property. This arrest follows a prior federal conviction for money laundering, with probation set to expire in May 2027.
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Operation Blizzard, a month-long CBSA operation targeting drug trafficking, resulted in over 2,600 seizures nationwide. A significant majority (67%) of seized drugs originated in the U.S., while a much smaller percentage (17.5%) was destined for the U.S. The operation yielded 1.73 kg of fentanyl, with the majority bound for the U.S. The initiative, part of a broader border security plan, underscores the ongoing efforts to combat the flow of illicit drugs across the Canada-U.S. border.
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Seventeen relatives of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán were recently relocated to California under undisclosed circumstances. This action follows the 2023 extradition of El Chapo’s son, Ovidio Guzmán, to the US on drug trafficking charges. Speculation suggests the family’s relocation may be connected to a plea bargain negotiation involving Ovidio. The deal is rumored to have been facilitated during the Trump administration.
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Over a dozen relatives of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán have entered the United States, reportedly as part of negotiations surrounding the drug trafficking charges against his son, Ovidio Guzmán López. Mexican officials, including the security secretary, confirmed the family’s entry, stating they are not wanted in Mexico. These developments follow Ovidio’s extradition to the US and upcoming court appearance where a potential plea deal is anticipated. The US Department of Justice has yet to comment publicly on the matter.
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Over a ton of cocaine, valued at nearly half a billion dollars, recently seized off the Australian coast represents a significant blow to international drug trafficking networks. The sheer scale of the bust – a quantity exceeding 1,800 pounds – is staggering, suggesting a highly organized operation capable of moving substantial amounts of narcotics. This seizure likely represents only a fraction of the total volume intended for distribution, highlighting the vast scope of the illicit drug trade operating within and targeting Australia.
The potential street value of the seized cocaine, estimated to be around $480 million Australian dollars (or nearly half a billion USD), underscores the enormous profits involved in this criminal enterprise.… Continue reading
President Trump’s recent Truth Social post proposed using tariffs on Canadian goods to penalize Canada for fentanyl trafficking into the United States. This assertion is widely considered nonsensical, as tariffs are levied on legal goods, and drug smugglers do not typically declare their imports. Multiple commentators expressed bewilderment at this suggestion, highlighting the impracticality and fundamental misunderstanding of how tariffs and drug smuggling operate. This marks at least the second time in 24 hours that Trump has publicly advocated this flawed policy.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood