Log intended to become the first Colombian semisubmersible interdicted by Colombian police in late 2024. It was well on its way across the Pacific Ocean, en route to Australia and New Zealand. This interception is unique because it points to a major trend. Narco-subs are becoming a more common method for transcontinental drug trafficking, a technique that has changed completely since the 1980s. Getting from Colombia to these distant locales usually requires at least double the travel time as getting over to Europe. This long journey comes with distinct challenges and risks for all parties.
The abandoned vessel was carrying an incredible six tonnes of cocaine. It carried a crew of five men, three of whom hailed from Brazil’s Pará state. Assembling narco-subs has turned the area around Pará into a bustling center for their production. The Amapá state right next-door is getting in on this explosive growth. These semi-submersibles operate just below the water’s surface, revealing only their cockpit. In the line of duty, crews are frequently under horrific circumstances as they make efforts to save lives.
Financial enticements push many Brazilian seamen to make these perilous journeys. For one trip on a narco-submarine, they would make 30,000 to 50,000 reais (around £4,000 to £7,000). By comparison, Ecuadorian sailors who worked in trafficking operations interrupted in Europe received approximately $15,000 for their tasks. Profits from successful smuggling operations are massive. By way of example, moving only five or six tonnes of cocaine to Europe will yield from $200m to $250m for the owners.
How profitable the drug trade is can be seen by looking at the price of cocaine in various areas. In Brazil, close to the Colombia border, it costs only $1,000 to $2,000 (£740 to £1,480) per kilogram of cocaine. That very same kilogram would be worth a jaw dropping $60,000 in Europe. This shocking cost difference highlights the extremes to which traffickers will go in order to move their illegal goods.
Space aboard narco-subs is deliberately set up for weeks-long passes. These artisanal boats are fitted with a 700-litre tank of potable water, refrigerator and portable air-conditioning unit. They are designed to maintain comfort and livability for crews during long deployments away from port. The psychological impact of isolation in such small spaces should not be overlooked. Javier Romero, a specialist on dynamics of narcotrafficking, noted the psychological pressure of these vessels.
“Just imagine spending hours, or days, stuck inside one of these things.” – Javier Romero
The rising number of narco-sub alerts has both mystified and alarmed authorities. Spanish police reported a 500% rise in false alerts. Summer of 2024, the recipients improved from one alert every quarter to more than five per month. This increase indicates a significant increase in trafficking attempts using this route. Smugglers are always on the lookout for more efficient and less visible routes.
Narcotrafficking has long been associated with exploitation. Javier Romero emphasized that the industry succeeds by preying on the vulnerabilities of those lured into it. He emphasized that the reasons of those who choose to crew these vessels should be thought-provoking.
“You ask yourself if [for these sailors] it’s a question of great courage or a total lack of awareness of what they’re getting into.” – Javier Romero
Fernando Casarin, another observer of narcotrafficking operations in the region, could hardly believe the risks these sailors were taking.
“You could pay me as much money as you liked and I confess I wouldn’t go … on such an insane journey.” – Fernando Casarin
Colombian drug lords originally began utilizing narco-subs in the 1980s to smuggle cocaine through Caribbean routes towards Mexico and the United States. While the basic approach has remained unchanged, over the decades this approach has become a highly refined undertaking, requiring expert engineering and logistical planning.
In August 2025, Brazilian forces seized a narco-submarine on Marajó Island and proudly displayed it at a navy base in Belém. This seizure is the result of sustained pressure by law enforcement efforts to counter increasingly dangerous narco-subs that are changing the face of drug trafficking.