Narco-submarine

A narco-submarine (also called a drug sub or narco-sub) is a type of custom ocean-going, self-propelled, semi-submersible or fully submersible vessel built by (or for) drug smugglers.

Newer semi-submersibles are almost fully submersible in order to reduce the likelihood of detection by visual, radar, sonar, or infrared systems. Cargo capacity varies widely with vessel size, although several tons is typical. In 2015, the largest known cargo of 7.7 tonnes (17,000 lb) was seized on a semi-submersible craft. Some contemporary narco-subs are capable of crossing the Atlantic Ocean. Meanwhile, recently captured vessels in the central Pacific during the mid 2020s indicate said vessels are increasingly durable enough for their operators to attempt voyages across the Pacific to Oceania.

History

During the Prohibition in the United States, bootleggers used low-profile riverboats to evade authorities.

In the 1980s, go-fast boats were the smuggling vessel of choice in many parts of the world. Go-fast boats became more vulnerable to radar detection as radar technology improved, leading to the development of semi-submersibles.

In 1988, an uncrewed 6.4-metre (21 ft) submarine was found off Boca Raton, Florida. It was designed to be towed by a boat and submerged by remote control. The sub was empty, but officials and authorities believe it was used for smuggling after it was realized the hatch could be opened only from the outside.

2000s

In 2006 a "submarine" was seized 166 km (90 nmi; 103 mi) southwest of Costa Rica. The U.S. Coast Guard dubbed it Bigfoot because they heard rumors of their existence, but had never seen any prior to this find. In 2006, the U.S. detected three vessels in total, and they estimated between twenty-five and forty semi-subs departed from South America in 2007.

In 2006, a 10 m (33 ft) sub was discovered on the north coast of Spain. While its use is unconfirmed, it is speculated to have been built by, or for, narco-traffickers.

In March 2006, according to a press release, the Calabrian criminal organization 'Ndrangheta ordered a shipment of nine tons of cocaine to be transported by a narco-submarine from Colombia to Italy, but according to a countering press release, the vessel was discovered by Colombian and Italian police during construction.

During the first six months of 2008, the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy detected forty-two subs off the coasts of Central America, but few seizures resulted. According to various press-releases, the projected eighty-five narco-submarine voyages by the end of 2008 could potentially bring about 544 tons of cocaine to U.S. customers. In 2008, the Mexican Navy intercepted a 10 m (33 ft) submarine in international waters about 200 km (110 nmi; 120 mi) southwest of Oaxaca. Mexican Navy Special Forces fast-roped from a helicopter on to its deck and arrested four smugglers. According to one press-release, the vessel carried 5.3 tons of cocaine; it was towed to Huatulco, Oaxaca, by a Mexican Navy patrol boat. Also in 2008, the U.S. Coast Guard captured a semi-submersible vessel in international waters about 563 km (304 nmi; 350 mi) west of Guatemala; it was carrying an even seven tons of cocaine. The 18 m (59 ft) steel/fiberglass vessel was detected by a U.S. Navy aircraft as part of Operation Panama Express, and was intercepted by Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment 402 aboard USS McInerney. Five days later, an 18 m (59 ft) semi-submersible was seized in international waters by the USCGC Midgett about 322 km (174 nmi; 200 mi) south of Guatemala. Several other submarines were intercepted, but not seized because their crews scuttled them upon interception.

In 2009, the U.S. detected "as many as sixty" submarine related events, and calculated they were moving as much as a ton of cocaine daily. In the same year, three submarines were seized on the shores of the Pacific coast, loaded with 1.5 tons of cocaine. The Colombian Navy had intercepted or discovered thirty-three submarines by 2009.

2010s

After the November 5, 2010 arrest of Harold Mauricio Poveda, a key Mexican–Colombian link, enhanced interrogation revealed that the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) were behind the construction of submarines and were collaborating with the Sinaloa Cartel to fund their activities.

In 2012, United States Coast Guard officials expressed concerns such vessels could potentially be used for terrorism.

In 2015, the largest recorded seizure was after a cargo of 7.7 tonnes (17,000 lb) was seized on a semi-submersible by USCGC Stratton.

In 2016, the U.S. Coast Guard seized a semi-submersible in international waters about 300 miles west of Panama, carrying about 6 tons of cocaine with a street value of about $200 million to U.S. customers.

In 2017, the U.S. Coast Guard detained a semi-submersible off the coast of Texas carrying 1.7 tonnes (3,800 lb) of cocaine, and on 13 November the US Coast Guard located and seized another one off the coast of Panama.

In 2019, Spanish authorities apprehended a 20 m semi-submersible off Galicia, containing 3 metric tons (6,600 lb) of cocaine, in the first known incident of a narco-submarine crossing the Atlantic Ocean.

A narco-submarine was captured by the Peruvian Navy on 8 December 2019 carrying over 2 metric tons (4,400 lb) of cocaine off of the coast of the Department of Piura.

2020s

According to a press-release, on November 5, 2020, a submarine was seized in Colombia. A further interception was made in October 2021 by the Ecuadorian naval training ship Guayas in the Pacific Ocean.

The drug trafficker Laureano Oubiña affirmed the existence of a marine cemetery of narco-submarines near the Canary Islands (Spain).

A 22 metres (72 ft) long semi-submersible made of vinyl carbon fiber, christened by its builders Poseidón was found sunk without cargo by the Guardia Civil in the Ría de Arousa in March 2023. The vessel had a central hold with a load capacity of five tons, a forward ballast tank and a diesel engine at stern.

In 2024, the Colombian Navy captured a semi-submersible carrying 5 tonnes of cocaine 1,200 miles southwest of Clipperton Island in the Eastern Pacific in a 62 country operation. Having been captured over 3,000 miles from the Colombian coast, the incident has been cited as proof that drug cartels are now willing to use narco-submersibles for direct, long-distance drug smuggling to Australia and New Zealand via a new route exceeding 4,000 miles rather than conventionally hiding smaller amounts of narcotics in commercial shipping.

Over the next year, at least three narco-submarines were discovered in the Solomon Islands alongside another in Tonga after being abandoned by their operators; which has generated concern as the current set of local laws, lack of coast guard coordination, and inexperience within national law enforcement agencies have left Oceanian island nations unprepared to counter the illicit trade. Besides Oceania, narco-submarines have also begun appearing in West African countries like Sierra Leone due to public institutions being more vulnerable to state capture than European counterparts while their locations are ideal relay points to transfer narcotics more easily to European markets via drug mules or hidden amidst local export containers.

In 2025, the United States military destroyed a semi-submersible during the 2025 United States strikes on Venezuelan boats and the 2025 United States naval deployment in the Caribbean. It was confirmed that there were some survivors of the attack that were later captured by the U.S.

In January 2026, Australian and Fijian police managed to capture a narco-submarine loaded with over 2 tonnes of cocaine in Tavua, Fiji. Four Ecuadorian nationals and two locals were also arrested.

Types

Crewed

Semi-submersible

Colombia's Pacific coastline possesses thick jungles and waterways, which can be used as clandestine shipyards. A Colombian Navy commander stated that it is most striking to notice the logistical capacity required in order to transport all the required materials into the jungle, including heavy equipment such as propulsion gear and generators. Some vessels are built in pieces and then reassembled in other locations under the jungle canopy, in camps outfitted with sleeping quarters for workers. The narco-submarines can cost about $2 million USD and take upward of a year to build. Despite the costs, some of the craft are intended for one-time use, being abandoned at sea after a successful delivery, given that their cargoes carry a street value of up to $400 million. On other seized craft however, officials found zinc bars used as sacrificial anodes, reducing corrosion on metal parts exposed to seawater. As corrosion would not be a concern on a single trip, but would affect long-term durability, this is an indication that the vessel was intended to be used for multiple voyages.