• The Colombian navy seized its first unmanned narco-submarine equipped with Starlink.
• The vessel, owned by the Gulf Clan, was believed to be a trial run for drug trafficking.
• Cocaine production and seizures hit record highs in 2023, driven by global demand.
• This vessel reflects traffickers' adoption of sophisticated unmanned systems for operations.
• Colombian law imposes up to 14 years in prison for those involved in semi-submersible activities.

The Colombian navy announced on July 2 the seizure of its first unmanned "narco sub" equipped with a Starlink antenna off the Caribbean coast. While the vessel was not carrying drugs at the time, it is believed to have been used for a trial run by a cocaine trafficking cartel, according to a naval spokeswoman who confirmed that "it was being tested and was empty," as reported by SCMP and Le Monde.

The latest discovery, disclosed by Admiral Juan Ricardo Rozo at a press conference, is notable as the first reported finding of such a drone narco-submarine in South American waters. The vessel is linked to the Gulf Clan, Colombia's largest drug trafficking group, and possesses the capacity to transport approximately 1.5 tonnes of cocaine, according to Le Monde and CBS News.

This seizure is indicative of the increasing sophistication within drug trafficking techniques, blending advanced technology with traditional smuggling methods. The surgical evolution to unmanned systems makes detection at sea significantly more challenging, as highlighted by Rozo, stating traffickers are moving to unmanned systems that "are hard to detect at sea and difficult to track by radar," according to SCMP and CBS News.

The implications of these transactions are profound, especially considering that cocaine production, seizures, and global use reached record highs in 2023. Colombian production has surged, spurred by escalating international demand, as noted by the U.N. drug agency, according to SCMP and Le Monde.

Experts suggest that the Gulf Clan and other cartels have invested in technological expertise to enhance their operational capabilities. Juana Cabezas from Colombia's Institute for Development and Peace Studies indicated that these developments are rooted in efforts dating back to 2017. "Removing the crew eliminates the risk of captured operators cooperating with authorities," said Henry Shuldiner from InSight Crime, emphasizing the growing challenge for law enforcement in combating these complex networks. This presents a significant shift in drug trafficking methods, complicating authorities' ability to track cartel leaders, according to Le Monde and CBS News.