Argentina seizes 470 kg of cocaine in Tucumán and warns of rising drone‑smuggling threat

Police from the Argentine National Gendarmerie intercepted a shipment of about 470 kg of cocaine on National Route 157 near Río Seco in Tucumán Province, the second‑largest seizure in the province’s history. The drugs were hidden in the cargo box of a Toyota Hilux travelling from Famaillá to Atahona and were linked to an illegal aerial entry route into the province. One person was detained and authorities highlighted the operation as part of the routine “Operativo Lapacho”.

In a related security briefing, governors from the northwest region and the national Minister of Security discussed the broader narcotics challenge, emphasizing the emerging use of drones for drug transport. The briefing cited international cases in Spain‑Morocco, Mexico and the United States, and noted recent Argentine incidents, including a Córdoba prison‑drone that carried 140 g of cocaine and 90 g of marijuana. Officials warned that the ease of acquiring high‑capacity drones—already used for agricultural spraying—could facilitate larger smuggling operations. The upcoming International Drone Congress in Tucumán will address such security concerns.