The municipalities of Marianao, La Lisa, Arroyo Naranjo, and San Miguel del Padrón have been pinpointed as the most challenging areas for drug trafficking and consumption in Havana. This revelation was made on Friday by the Ministry of the Interior (Minint) during the program 'Hacemos Cuba', hosted by regime spokesperson Humberto López.
According to Colonel Juan Carlos Poey, head of the specialized anti-drug unit, these areas serve as the central hubs for trafficking activities. "There is a culture of consumption there. The main traffickers and users of drugs are concentrated in these places," he explained. Notably, the neighborhoods of La Güinera in Arroyo and El Palenque in La Lisa have already reported methamphetamine use, indicating a shift from synthetic cannabinoids (known locally as El Químico) to methamphetamines (pills, powders, or crystal stimulants). This progression is driven by addiction demands for increasingly potent doses.
The Minint attributes the rise in drug trafficking and addiction to "a group of Cubans" who aim to establish a lucrative methamphetamine market. From one gram, they produce 12-18 fragments, selling each for between 1,000 and 1,500 pesos. However, El Químico remains the most profitable, as a letter-sized sheet soaked in synthetic cannabinoid can be divided into 1,200 doses, each sold for 120 pesos.
The surge in narcotics trafficking is reportedly linked to 23 Cubans with red notices in Interpol's database. Most of these individuals reside in the United States and have not been extradited to Cuba, likely due to the regime's lack of credibility, often using anti-terrorism or drug trafficking alerts to target Communist Party opponents.
Historically, marijuana has been smuggled into Cuba, but the country is now affected by the cocaine overproduction in South American nations. As a result, cocaine is entering the island, with 90% being converted into crack. Foreigners, often detected at José Martí International Airport in Havana, mainly bring cocaine into the country within their bodies. The airport employs profiling to identify likely traffickers based on nationality and age group, explained Colonel Roberto Aguilera Puig, head of the Border Unit of the Directorate of Identification, Immigration, and Foreigners.
Additionally, the airport has discovered the smuggling of appliances with instruction sheets impregnated with El Químico or drugs hidden in sealed cans, detectable by weight variation.
When questioned by Humberto López on why drug trade and addiction persist despite known trafficking and consumption locations, the anti-drug officer hesitated before attributing it to the traffickers' creativity. These traffickers arrive with drugs and leave with people. The Cuban strategy is to "balance prevention and enforcement," though the Minint official did not indicate any forthcoming changes, despite its apparent ineffectiveness.
The government has appealed to citizens to collaborate in the fight against narcotics. Humberto López has encouraged residents to report drug sales in their neighborhoods and seek help if they encounter these issues within their families.
Between 2023 and 2024, 2.6 tons of drugs destined for the United States have washed ashore on Cuban coasts.
FAQs on Drug Trafficking in Havana
Which municipalities in Havana are most affected by drug trafficking?
The municipalities most affected by drug trafficking and consumption in Havana are Marianao, La Lisa, Arroyo Naranjo, and San Miguel del Padrón.
What substances are being consumed in these Havana neighborhoods?
In neighborhoods like La Güinera and El Palenque, methamphetamines have been detected, marking a shift from synthetic cannabinoids to more potent stimulants.
How does the Cuban government plan to combat drug trafficking?
The Cuban government aims to balance prevention and enforcement, although the strategy has not shown significant effectiveness. They also urge citizens to report drug activities in their communities.