Cuba seized 2 438 kilograms of drugs last year, mostly marijuana, coming from recalls caused by international drug traffic operations which did not have the island as a destination, this is the smallest amount of drug seized in the last three years.

An article published by the newspaper Granma indicates that the Internal Ministry reported 77 percent of the drug seized in the country was by recalls; they dealt with operations organized by Cubans living abroad who use speedboats, and this accounts for the movement of naval means by routes around the country; as well as the detection of events regarding the possession and consumption by yachtsmen.

At the air border, 49 attempts of drugs operations were neutralized, most with a commercial purpose in the country, with 90 detainees (54 Cubans and 36 foreigners) and a total of 81 kilograms of seized narcotics, more than 64 kilograms of the previous year, according to the article in the newspaper.

He also points out that these operations were organized by criminal networks groups composed of foreigners and nationals and they were concentrated mainly at the José Martí International Airport, although it was investigated an attempt by Frank País airport, from Holguín, as well as two cases by the postal channel and one by the International shipment station of the capital.

When referring to the struggle against consumption and internal trafficking, the main confrontation actions were aimed at neutralize robbery acts of recalls in the coast; isolated crops of marijuana; transfer of those substances to others territories, as well as the prevention of drug use and medications with similar effects.

As a result of confronting these modalities in the in depth, 83 kilograms of drugs were seized, more than 18 kilograms of the previous year, which prevented its commercialization and consumption.

The Granma article highlights the cooperation of the Internal Ministry and the Revolutionary Armed Forces in close coordination with other institutions, social and public organizations, to increase deterrence and confrontation actions through the groups Looking at the sea and the institutions related to coastal areas.

Similarly, the Coast Guard Troop Headquarters has kept the exchange of information in real time with anti-drug services of the area (United States, Jamaica, Bahamas and Mexico) and the investigations to ensure the necessary evidence and request through operational cooperation, extradition and criminal prosecution of Cubans living abroad who promote those operations so that they do not go unpunished.

In international operational cooperation, the links are strengthened with 37 foreign police services, Interpol and other agencies, depending on the exchange of information, promotion and development of cooperative investigations and reciprocal judicial assistance.

The results of 2018 confirm the absolute commitment of Cuba as to achieve a society free of illicit drugs, as a vital factor to attain sustainable development and the well-being of our people.