Bogota: Colombian soldiers have for the first time seized a fully submersible drug-smuggling submarine capable of reaching the coast of Mexico, authorities announced on Monday.
Last July, another fully submersible "narcosub" was seized just across the border by authorities in neighbouring Ecuador.
Previous drug-carrying vessels found in Colombia were only semi-submersible, meaning part of the structure always remained above the surface.
But the sub discovered on Sunday can operate completely underwater, said Colonel Manuel Hurtado, chief of staff of Colombia's Pacific Command. He estimated it could hold eight tonnes of drugs.
The sub in Colombia was found in a rural Cauca province on the Timgiqui River about 440km southwest of Bogota.
Air-conditioned interior
Hurtado said the sub was empty when soldiers found it and no one was arrested. The 30-metre-long fibreglass boat has room for a crew of six and is powered by two diesel engines and has an air-conditioned interior, Hurtado said. He said it can submerge up to three metres deep and is equipped with a five-metre periscope.
