Uruguay sentences Cuban man to seven years after cocaine seizure

A 23-year-old Cuban national has been sentenced to seven years in prison in Uruguay following a significant cocaine seizure. The arrest and subsequent sentencing occurred in connection with ‘Operation Roosevelt’, a long-term investigation by Uruguayan authorities into drug trafficking.

During the operation in Lagomar, Canelones, law enforcement officers intercepted a vehicle containing approximately 21.865 kilograms of cocaine, consisting of eight bricks and 24 half-bricks. Uruguay’s Minister of the Interior, Carlos Negro, stated the seized drugs were of ‘quite high or very high purity’ and estimated their local market value at approximately $200,000.

Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine if the shipment was intended for local distribution or was being transported to Montevideo. The driver, who reportedly has no prior criminal record, was apprehended after attempting to flee from police surveillance.