A couple was arrested in the municipal capital of Artemisa during a police operation conducted on 31st Street, between 52 and 54, according to reported by the official Facebook page Artemisa Noticias Cuba.
One of the most significant aspects of the case is that the man arrested worked as an orderly at hospital Ciro Redondo and, according to the report, he allegedly sold drugs both within the hospital and in its vicinity.
The operation and those arrested
The post, shared this Tuesday under the hashtag #HeroesDeAzul, indicates that the event occurred "a few days ago," without specifying the exact date.
The photographs that accompany the publication—featuring the faces of the accused pixelated—show numerous Cuban bills among the seized evidence, as well as police vehicles marked with the label "Operative Guard" at the scene of the operation.
According to Artemisa Noticias Cuba, the man took advantage of his job at the hospital to distribute the substance, while his wife allegedly participated in sales from the street and from the home they both shared.
The official publication does not identify those arrested nor specify the type or quantity of drugs allegedly seized.
The official media called on citizens to get involved in reporting these crimes: “We have the responsibility to report, to make these events visible, and to highlight the serious damage they cause to our population, especially to young people.”
More anti-drug operations in Cuba
The arrest comes amid an intensification of drug enforcement operations reported in various provinces of Cuba.
On September 17, forces from the Ministry of the Interior (MININT) dismantled a network in Centro Habana during an operation that resulted in 13 arrests and six home searches. Authorities also reported the seizure of cocaine and 184 strips of synthetic cannabinoids.
Days later, two operations in Guantánamo resulted in several arrests in cases related to marijuana and the so-called "chemical."
In August, a man was arrested in Matanzas with 30 packets of synthetic cannabinoids and a sum of cash.
In March 2026, the Provincial People's Court of Artemisa had sentenced two Cubans to 15 years in prison for synthetic cannabinoid trafficking, in a trial described by the authorities as "exemplary."
Despite these operations, the indicators related to synthetic drug use continue to raise concern.
According to official data cited by the AP agency, medical emergencies related to synthetic cannabinoids in Havana nearly doubled between 2024 and 2025, rising from 467 to 886 cases.
Cuban laboratories have identified at least 46 variants of these substances in circulation.
A dose of the so-called "chemical" or "little paper" costs around 250 Cuban pesos (about 0.50 dollars), according to the cited data.
Reactions following the operation
The comments posted on the official page reflect both support for the arrest and concerns about the effectiveness of operations to curb drug trafficking and consumption.
"Excellent operation, they should do this in all municipalities, as it is destroying the youth," wrote a user.
Another commentator questioned the impact of these actions: "Seriously, I don’t know how effective it is when every day there are more children and young people consuming and the neighborhoods are full."
Several users also reported that drug sales continue to be apparent in various areas and called for a more effective response from the authorities.
"There are vendors in Artemisa who have been around for years and still operate freely. Why is this happening?" questioned an internet user.
Another comment questioned the effectiveness of police actions: "Here in my neighborhood, they picked up a group [...] in the afternoon, they let them go."
The phenomenon occurs amid a complex social and economic situation in Cuba. As a Cuban recently warned on social media, issues such as "stress, blackouts, lack of water, the cost of living, and poor living conditions" are now compounded by concerns over the spread of synthetic drugs.
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