Colombian authorities thwart illegal shipment of minerals bound for China
Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
According to a report by Infobae, the National Police of Colombia stated that, through an operation led by the Environmental Protection and Carabineros Unit, in coordination with the National Army and the Office of the Attorney General, 49 tons of coltan and tin were seized. The cargo, valued at approximately 5 billion Colombian pesos, was destined for the People’s Republic of China.
As part of this operation, known as Operation Uranium, in addition to the aforementioned seizure, six individuals allegedly involved in this illegal mineral trafficking scheme were arrested.
According to Brigadier General José James Roa Castañeda, Director of Carabineros and Environmental Protection, the materials had been illegally extracted from the departments of Vichada and Guainía, and were to be introduced into the international market through the port of Cartagena, ultimately bound for China.
The operation took place in the city of Villavicencio. According to Brigadier General Roa, the seizure represents a significant blow to the structures engaged in the illegal trafficking of minerals, one of the illicit economies that finance criminal activities.
These minerals are known to have high value on the global market, as they are used in the manufacturing of mobile phones, tablets, and computers. However, their illegal extraction causes severe environmental damage. Thanks to Operation Uranium, key ecosystems in the departments of Vichada and Guainía were preserved.
As a result of this seizure, the importance of international security controls was highlighted, as a means of preventing the departure of illegal resources that would later be shipped to the Asian country. Likewise, the National Police emphasized the significance of cooperation and joint efforts between Colombian security institutions and international actors.
For his part, the Minister of Defense, retired Major General Pedro Arnulfo, praised Operation Uranium, stating that the seizure delivers a strong blow to the finances of criminal organizations whose actions negatively impact the environment of these departments and the country as a whole.
Furthermore, it is worth noting that contraband from China represents a large percentage of the total illegal goods entering Colombia, according to Infobae. In a separate operation, the National Police seized knives, electronic devices, clothing, and other items originating from the People’s Republic of China. This shipment, brought in through international smuggling networks, was valued at 15 billion pesos.
Additionally, a report from the Andrés Bello Foundation, a Chinese-Latin American research center, cited the former director of DIAN, Luis Carlos Reyes, who stated that between 2018 and 2022, the People’s Republic of China accounted for approximately 30% of the contraband entering Colombia, with an estimated annual value of around 2.12 billion US dollars.
Taken together, these reports suggest that criminal smuggling organizations based in the People’s Republic of China are increasingly establishing transactional relationships with Colombian organized crime. This growing dynamic may have negative consequences for both countries, by enabling the mutual circulation of illegal goods.
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