Andina

Peru: Armed Forces, National Police seize nearly 750 kg of drugs in VRAEM

Three alleged drug traffickers were arrested during the operation. Photo: Andina

Three alleged drug traffickers were arrested during the operation. Photo: Andina

17:51 | La Convencion (Cusco region), Aug. 27.

Around 750 kilograms of drugs were seized by a combined patrolling squad —made up of members of the Armed Forces and the Peruvian National Police— in the Valley of Apurimac, Ene and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM), the Interior Ministry (Mininter) reported on Thursday.

It must be noted that three alleged drug traffickers were arrested during the event.

The law enforcement operation took place in the area known as Los Carrizales, located in the district of Echarati in La Convencion Province (Cusco region).

According to Mininter, the intervention was preceded by meticulous intelligence work and the Public Ministry was previously informed of the procedure.

The "2020 Progress Operation" comes a day after the combined patrolling squad took down four alleged terrorists led by "Comrade Cirilo," whose group carried out security activities for drug traffickers in VRAEM.

In addition to seizing drugs and arresting suspected drug traffickers, the agents destroyed clandestine landing strips and confiscated controlled chemicals.

The Interior Ministry highlighted the fact that —despite the pandemic— the Armed Forces and the Peruvian National Police have not stopped their operations to neutralize the mobility of Shining Path (a terrorist organization) remnants as well as to combat illicit trafficking of drugs, chemicals, and controlled substances in VRAEM.

Finally, Mininter noted that the Joint Command of the Armed Forces and the Peruvian National Police will continue to work intensively for the pacification of this area.

(END) NDP/MAO/RMB/MVB

Published: 8/27/2020