The regional prosecutor of Antofagasta, Juan Castro, and General Juan Francisco González, head of the militarized police in the Taracapá area, detailed the operation that lasted for three days and led to the second largest seizure of narcotics this year.

According to them, the case began when they got a leak about a well-organized gang that intended to move the drugs in several vehicles, presumably to the Metropolitan Region of Santiago.

After applying intense control on border areas, highways and urban traffic, several properties were raided in the cities of Antofagasta and Calama, where the substance was found already packaged and ready for shipment.

Several cars were also recovered, some with altered license plates, as well as handguns, magazines and a large amount of ammunition.

During the operation, nine people were arrested, eight Colombian adults and one Chilean minor.

The value of the seized drugs ranges from 20 to 36 billion pesos (20.4 to 36.7 million dollars), depending on the packaging of dosages and the region of sale, authorities said.

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