Anti-drug operation in Las Tunas: Nine people arrested for marijuana and "chemical" trafficking

Nine people were detained this Tuesday in Las Tunas during an operation by the Ministry of the Interior (Minint) for alleged drug trafficking.

According to the provincial newspaper's report on its Facebook page, the arrests took place in the Santo Domingo neighborhood, in the main municipality, where the detainees are believed to be involved in the sale of marijuana and a substance known as "chemical."

The operation was presented as part of the official "zero tolerance" policy towards crimes related to the consumption and distribution of drugs, although the statement does not clarify whether there were any seizures of substances, money, or other goods, nor does it specify the ages, gender, or backgrounds of those involved.

It has also not been reported whether those arrested will face formal charges or at what stage of the proceedings the case is.

In recent months, several Cuban provinces have reported similar operations in residential areas, with an increasing presence of "the chemical," a substance of variable composition that has raised alarm due to its unpredictable effects on consumers.

Far from being an indication of the "struggle" that the regime engages in, it also shows that drugs have spiraled out of control in the country and that the government, instead of solving the problem, is overwhelmed.

In recent weeks, reports of arrests related to drug trafficking have intensified in various parts of the country, reflecting a pattern of actions that the regime portrays as part of its "zero tolerance" strategy toward these crimes.

One of the most unusual cases was recorded in Havana, where authorities arrested a man for transporting "chemicals" hidden inside a Russian Matryoshka doll, in what sources described as a sophisticated attempt to distribute synthetic drugs. The presence of this substance, with unpredictable effects and high risks, has generated increasing alarm in the residential neighborhoods of the country.

On the other hand, at Havana International Airport, a woman was detained with cocaine disguised in personal care products during an operation at the airport terminal.

This fact reveals the concealment methods used by international trafficking networks and the extent of the phenomenon at the country's entry and exit points.

Similarly, in Centro Habana, a suspected trafficker was arrested during a police intervention in a densely populated urban area, where there has been a reported increase in the consumption of synthetic drugs.

This type of operation reflects the deterioration of state control over the circulation of these substances and the difficulties the regime faces in curbing their proliferation.

Frequently Asked Questions about the anti-drug operation in Las Tunas and drug trafficking in Cuba