Aden (South24 Center)

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The Counter-Terrorism Unit in Aden announced on Saturday (Aug 23) that it had foiled an attempt to smuggle a massive shipment of cocaine weighing 599 kilograms. The drugs had been carefully concealed inside sugar bags after arriving from Brazil, and were destined for areas under Houthi control.

According to an official statement, the operation was carried out in coordination with the Specialized Criminal Prosecution and under the direct supervision of Maj. Gen. Shalal Ali Shaye Hadi, head of the unit, following an intelligence tip about a suspicious container. During a thorough inspection, investigators discovered the narcotics packed in plastic bags wrapped with insulation and carbon paper to evade detection.

Photo: deraalganoob

The statement added that preliminary investigations revealed links between the shipment and international smuggling networks operating in coordination with the Houthis and external actors that support them. It noted that narcotics are used as a source of financing for terrorist activities. This marks the third such operation since 2020, after similar cocaine shipments from Brazil were intercepted on October 26, 2020, and December 21, 2021.

Following the seizure, Maj. Gen. Shaye briefed UN representatives accredited to Yemen on the details of the operation. The UN officials praised the unit’s efforts in combating drug smuggling.

Photo: deraalganoob

The Counter-Terrorism Unit confirmed that the seized shipment will be destroyed after investigations are completed, stressing its commitment to continuing field operations and strengthening international security and intelligence cooperation to curb drug smuggling and cut off sources of terrorist financing.