Police arrest suspected trafficker in Centro Habana with 20 rocks of crack and other drugs

A recent police operation in Centro Habana ended with the arrest of a man on charges of drug trafficking, who had 20 rocks of crack and other narcotics seized from him, along with nearly 176,000 Cuban pesos, according to official reports.

The "significant finding" and the arrest of the individual, identified only by the name Carlos, occurred last week in the streets Estrella and Maloja, in the Los Sitios neighborhood, "as part of the actions taken against drugs being implemented throughout the country," according to a post from the official profile “Héroes de azul en Cuba” on Facebook, shared by the Government of Havana.

The report detailed that the man was found in possession of "a glass bottle filled with 20 rocks of crack, a nylon package with more drugs, a jar of bicarbonate, and to top it off, the sum of almost 176,000 pesos."

The profile shared photos of the arrested individual, the drugs, and the money confiscated by the authorities during the operation. Additionally, it stated that “these actions are to keep our streets clean and safe” and urged the public to continue “supporting the police in their work.”

The Cuban regime has intensified its offensive against drug trafficking in the country, which has escalated and reached unprecedented levels in recent years, corresponding with the worsening of the economic and social crisis in the country.

Although the main traffic and consumption involve the substance known as “the chemical”, marijuana, crack, and other drugs also circulate in Cuba.

In March, a police operation in the Cayo Hueso neighborhood of Centro Habana resulted in the arrest of a citizen from Cienfuegos for alleged drug sales, including crack, a powerful derivative of cocaine.

The trafficking and drug use has even reached minors and schools in Cuba, as recently acknowledged by authorities from the province of Guantánamo.

The government has declared a policy of "zero tolerance toward this scourge" and, as a result, has intensified anti-drug raids in cities across all provinces, increased the arrests of individuals involved in drug trafficking, and imposed harsher penalties on those charged with this crime.

During the Second National Exercise for the prevention and confrontation of crime, corruption, illegal activities, and social indiscipline at the end of March, "46 interventions were carried out in communities, bars, nightclubs, and rental houses" related to drugs, reported last week Colonel Hugo Morales Karell, deputy chief of the General Directorate of the PNR, on the official television program “Mesa Redonda”.

In those operations, "46.9 kg of drugs were seized, along with plants, synthetic seeds, wrappers, rolling papers, and cuts soaked in substances," he said, adding that electronic cigarettes and large sums of money were also detected.

The Deputy Attorney General, Alina Montesino Li, revealed that during the government campaign, provisional imprisonment was imposed in 86% of the cases judged for serious crimes, of which 97% are related to drug trafficking.

According to Judge Ileana Gómez Guerra, president of the Chamber of Crimes against State Security of the Supreme People's Court, 37 exemplary trials were held in eight provinces of the country, mostly for charges such as drug trafficking, illegal possession and carrying of firearms, and embezzlement.

The 20 individuals sanctioned for drug-related offenses were sentenced to prison for a period of six to 15 years, he affirmed.

Frequently Asked Questions about Drug Trafficking in Centro Habana