Every industry will apply as many new technologies as possible, to make work more efficiënt and easy to execute. However, recently, the drug trafficking organisations and cartels have been implementing new technologies as well. More and more cartels are using unmanned ships or narco-subs to transport large quantities of drugs over long distances. The Colombian Navy had its first encounter with one of these ships. Keep on reading to discover more about it.
A first for the Colombian Navy!
Recently, the Colombian Navy encountered an unmanned narco ship capable of transporting 1.5 tons of cocaine off the Caribbean coast near Santa Marta. The ship belongs to the Gulf Clan, the largest drug organisation of Colombia. The submersible was equipped with advanced technology, including two surveillance cameras and a remote control system.
What makes the remote controls possible? A Starlink satellite dish! This device gives the ship a remote internet connection and an 800-mile controllable range! So, while the Colombian Navy might encounter more and more of these unmanned vessels, they won’t be able to find out who is controlling them and where they have come from.
Not the only unmanned narco-sub
While this might have been the first time for the Colombian Navy, it was not the first time ever recorded. In November of 2024, Indian Police found and intercepted an unmanned vessel controlled via Starlink Satellites. This encounter was a lot more fruitful, as the vessel was carrying a shipment of $4.25 billion worth of methamphetamine.
New drug trafficking methods
Global drug production has skyrocketed in the past few years, which means drug trafficking has also increased. However, since these ships don’t need to be manned and can be remotely guided, officials will have a hard time finding these ships. It also prevents human error and maintains a low profile, which is important when you’re trying to smuggle drugs!
