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Canine Unit Uncovers 14 Tons of Cocaine in Buenaventura — Colombia's Largest Bust in a Decade

08:27 AM, 11/23/2025
Canine Unit Uncovers 14 Tons of Cocaine in Buenaventura — Colombia's Largest Bust in a Decade

Colombian authorities say a canine unit found 14 tons of cocaine hidden in a Buenaventura warehouse, the largest police seizure in a decade. The drugs were concealed in dozens of ~110-lb sacks mixed with plaster; officials estimate about 35 million doses worth more than $388 million. The bust comes amid strained U.S.-Colombia relations over anti-drug policy, and follows other recent major Pacific interdictions.

Colombian authorities announced that a canine team uncovered 14 tons of cocaine hidden in a warehouse at the Pacific port of Buenaventura, in what officials describe as the largest police seizure in the country in ten years.

The narcotics were reportedly stored in dozens of sacks of roughly 110 pounds each and were camouflaged by mixing the powder with plaster. The Defense Ministry released video showing a sniffer dog alerting to the packages and officers using electronic testers to examine the contents.

Authorities estimate the haul represents about 35 million doses and placed its value at more than $388 million. President Gustavo Petro called the operation "the largest seizure by the Colombian police in the last decade" and highlighted that it was carried out "without a single death."

Buenaventura is a strategic Pacific port frequently used to move cocaine to international markets. Officials said targeted inspections, canines and electronic testing were crucial to detecting increasingly sophisticated concealment techniques.

The seizure arrives amid growing tensions with Washington over counter-narcotics policy. U.S. officials have imposed financial sanctions related to President Petro and removed Colombia from a U.S. partnership list in the drug war, citing concerns about the country's anti-drug efforts. Petro has criticized U.S. strikes on vessels suspected of carrying drugs, calling some of those actions extrajudicial and warning they risk harming civilians; U.S. authorities dispute claims that innocent noncombatants were killed in such strikes.

International estimates indicate Colombia remains the primary source of cocaine destined for the United States. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration attributes about 90% of cocaine reaching the U.S. to Colombia. United Nations figures for 2023 report roughly 625,000 acres under coca cultivation and an estimated production of at least 2,600 tons of cocaine.

The Buenaventura seizure follows a string of recent Pacific interdictions: naval divers discovered more than 450 pounds of cocaine hidden beneath a ship bound for Europe, and the navy reported seizing over seven tons from speedboats and a semi-submersible vessel. Officials framed the latest bust as a major disruption to a significant shipment and said investigations will continue to identify those responsible and trace trafficking routes.

What happens next: Authorities say investigations are ongoing to identify suspects, dismantle the associated network and prevent future shipments.

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