Operations in Guanabacoa: "Group of individuals involved in drug trafficking" detained

A police operation in the municipality of Guanabacoa, Havana, resulted in the capture of several individuals accused of drug trafficking, according to the official profile "La Página de Mauro Torres 2.0" on social media.

The operation took place on several streets in the municipality, including Aranguren, Barreto, Jesús María, and Doctor Lebredo, where authorities reported seizing illicit substances identified as "chemicals" and other related products. According to the report, confiscations were made both in homes and on public roads.

This operation is part of the Third Exercise of Prevention and Confrontation Against Drug Illicit Activities, a strategy promoted by the Ministry of the Interior (MININT), which includes various control and prevention measures in Havana. As part of this plan, the government has announced exemplary trials, community investigations, inspections of medicine warehouses, and reinforcements at checkpoints on highways.

The First Deputy Chief of the General Customs of the Republic, William Pérez González, also recently referred to the exercise, highlighting the role of Customs in detecting illicit substances at the border. Through its official channels, Customs has shared images of marijuana vaporizers, liquid extracts, and other confiscated products, in what they describe as efforts to curb the entry of drugs into the country.

Despite these operations, the increase in drug consumption and trafficking in Cuba is becoming more concerning for society, especially among young people.

In recent months, Cuban authorities have intensified operations against drug trafficking, with raids in various provinces such as Havana, Camagüey, Santiago de Cuba, and Las Tunas. These operations have seized marijuana, cocaine, crack, and synthetic cannabinoids known as "El Químico", a drug that has raised alarm due to its devastating effects on young people.

According to official reports, in 2024, over a ton of drugs was seized, with the majority entering by sea from the United States, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica. The police have dismantled smuggling rings and marijuana plantations, such as the one discovered in Santiago de Cuba with over 200 plants and 2,000 seeds. However, consumption continues to rise, especially in marginalized neighborhoods where the economic crisis has created fertile ground for drug trafficking.

Recent raids in Centro Habana and Arroyo Naranjo have resulted in the seizure of large sums of money, digital scales, and equipment for drug production. In some cases, traffickers used social media to distribute the substances and evade the police.

One of the biggest problems is the proliferation of "the chemical", a synthetic cannabinoid that has been linked to mass intoxications and severe hallucinations. Videos on social media depict the condition of young people in the streets after consuming this drug, raising public alarm and calls for a more effective response.

To tackle the crisis, the Cuban regime has announced the establishment of the National Drug Observatory, aimed at monitoring drug trafficking and consumption on the island. It has also promoted exemplary trials and confiscation of assets from drug traffickers, including houses, land, jewelry, and vehicles. However, many critics argue that these measures are more focused on repression than on addressing the economic and social causes that contribute to the problem.

Frequently Asked Questions about the anti-drug operation in Guanabacoa, Havana