Ecuador authorities seize drug-smuggling sub

[bearflag]

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americ...ex.html?hpt=C1

(CNN) -- A fully functional submarine built for the primary purpose of transporting massive amounts of cocaine has been seized by Ecuadorean authorities with the help of U.S. drug enforcement agents.

A drug-trafficking organization built the sea-worthy vessel that is now being held near the border of Ecuador and Colombia, and one individual has been taken into custody, authorities said. The investigation into the group and the submarine, which was seized Friday, is ongoing.

"This is the first seizure of a clandestinely constructed fully operational submarine built to facilitate trans-oceanic drug trafficking," the Drug Enforcement Administration said in a statement.

The vessel utilized twin screws and was diesel electric-powered, the agency said. It was about 30 meters (98 feet) long and nearly 3 meters (nine feet) high from the deck plates to the ceiling. It has a periscope and an air-conditioning system.

"Traffickers historically employed slow-moving fishing boats, sail boats, pleasure craft go-fasts," said Jay Bergman, Andean regional director for the agency. "The advent of the narco-submarine presents new detection challenges for maritime interdiction forces. The submarine's nautical range, payload capacity and quantum leap in stealth have raised the stakes for the counter-drug forces and the national security community alike."

The submarine was constructed in a "remote jungle environment in an effort to elude law enforcement or military interdiction," the agency said.
Acting on intelligence, Ecuadorean authorities were able to seize the vessel for before its maiden voyage, the statement said.

[daiquiri]

Ferrocement, perhaps?

[bearflag]

Originally Posted by daiquiri

Ferrocement, perhaps?

Most likely, that or metal. Hard to say though it does have a cement-ish look to it. It would be neat if anyone had more details. The thing is pretty big for a non military submarine!

[jonr]

Not sure why they are using subs when towed and releasable deep running torpedoes are supposedly better. But maybe these subs will be auctioned off - having one might be interesting.

[hoytedow]

The portholes are missing!

Originally Posted by hoytedow

The portholes are missing!

The ones looking upwards? Like in Wellmers sub?

May I bet, we have been part of this construction for too long?

Good they caught that (him).

Regards
Richard

[bearflag]

Originally Posted by apex1

The ones looking upwards? Like in Wellmers sub?

May I bet, we have been part of this construction for too long?

Good they caught that (him).

Regards
Richard

I wouldn't be all surprised if they were a forum member.

Originally Posted by bearflag

I wouldn't be all surprised if they were a forum member.

Wellmer was.

[jehardiman]

Russian design from the looks of it. Need a better picture of the fairwater.

[bearflag]

http://www.examiner.com/x-40065-Blog...-photo-gallery



Officials in Ecuador seized a homemade drug-running submarine in Ecuador. The US DEA assisted the Ecuadorean police in picking up the sub near Ecuador's Colombian border. The sub was seized before its maiden voyage. The use of semi-submersibles and subs for drug running is becoming more common. The small vessels can carry a crew of 6 with cargo for 5,000 miles.
CNN says, "Traffickers historically employed slow-moving fishing boats, sail boats, pleasure craft go-fasts," said Jay Bergman, Andean regional director for the agency. "The advent of the narco-submarine presents new detection challenges for maritime interdiction forces. The submarine's nautical range, payload capacity and quantum leap in stealth have raised the stakes for the counter-drug forces and the national security community alike."
CBS comments, "The agency said the sub was built in a remote jungle to prevent detection from authorities. The seizure represents the first of a submarine secretly built for drug shipments."

MSNBC reports, "Tipped off by three plastic pipes mysteriously skimming the ocean’s surface, authorities seized a homemade submarine packed with 3 tons of cocaine off Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. Four men traveled inside the 50-foot wood and fiberglass craft, breathing through the pipes. The craft sailed along at about 7 mph, just six feet beneath the surface, Security Minister Fernando Berrocal said Sunday. The submarine was spotted Friday 103 miles off the coast near Cabo Blanco National Park on the Nicoya peninsula."

Self-propelled, semi-submersible (SPSS) boats are a growing problem along coastal borders. According to Eagle Speak, The growing use of these vessels has created a sense of urgency among federal agencies. In the first three quarters of 2008, the Coast Guard recorded 62 "events" regarding SPSS vessels. In the previous six and a half years, there were fewer than 30 such encounters.

[bearflag]

Apparently it is becoming pretty common.

http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/200...w-law-harpoon/

[CDK]

Somehow the ones caught seem quite amateurish to me.
With the amount of money going on in drug trafficking they could easily finance the design and construction of a real sub or buy a ready to sail one in Murmansk.

What will be the next step? An intercontinental ballistic missile perhaps.

[bearflag]

Who is to say they don't?

Then again, drug trafficking is a business. If you don't care if your mules get caught, then its probably better to have 50 inexpensive subs than one golden chariot.

[daiquiri]

Originally Posted by apex1

May I bet, we have been part of this construction for too long?

That's why I've asked if it was made of ferrocement.

[daiquiri]

BTW, I can envision a future scenario where drug smugglers will use small unmanned disposable cargo subs, equipped with inertial navigation systems.
They have the money to do it, and probably have also acquired the necessary know-how by now.