Drug Trafficking Crackdown in Guanabacoa Leads to Multiple Arrests

In a significant police operation in Guanabacoa, a municipality in Havana, several individuals were apprehended on charges related to drug trafficking. This was reported by the government-aligned social media account "La Página de Mauro Torres 2.0."

The operation spanned multiple streets in the area, including Aranguren, Barreto, Jesús María, and Doctor Lebredo, where authorities claimed to have seized illegal substances identified as "chemicals" along with other related items. Raids were conducted in both homes and public spaces, resulting in numerous confiscations.

This crackdown is part of the broader strategy known as the Third Exercise of Prevention and Confrontation of Drug Crimes, led by the Ministry of the Interior (MININT). This initiative includes a variety of control and prevention measures throughout Havana. As part of this effort, the government has announced public trials intended to set examples, along with community searches, inspections of pharmaceutical warehouses, and increased checkpoints on highways.

William Pérez González, the First Deputy Chief of the General Customs of the Republic, has also commented on the exercise, emphasizing Customs' role in identifying illicit substances at the border. Official channels have shared images of confiscated marijuana vaporizers, liquid extracts, and other items as part of efforts to curb drug entry into the country.

Despite these operations, the rise in drug consumption and trafficking in Cuba is an escalating concern, particularly among the youth. In recent months, Cuban authorities have intensified their efforts against drug trafficking, conducting raids in several provinces such as Havana, Camagüey, Santiago de Cuba, and Las Tunas. These operations have led to the seizure of marijuana, cocaine, crack, and synthetic cannabinoids known as "El Químico," a drug notorious for its harmful effects on young people.

According to official reports, over a ton of drugs were seized in 2024, with most entering through maritime routes from the United States, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica. Police have dismantled trafficking networks and discovered marijuana plantations, such as one in Santiago de Cuba with over 200 plants and 2,000 seeds. However, drug consumption continues to rise, especially in impoverished neighborhoods where the economic crisis has created a fertile ground for narcotics.

Recent raids in areas like Centro Habana and Arroyo Naranjo have resulted in the confiscation of large amounts of cash, digital scales, and drug production tools. Social media has been utilized by some traffickers to distribute substances and evade law enforcement.

A major issue is the spread of "El Químico," a synthetic cannabinoid linked to mass intoxications and severe hallucinations. Videos circulating on social media depict young people in distress on the streets after using this drug, prompting public outcry and demands for more effective responses.

In response to the crisis, the Cuban regime has announced the establishment of the National Drug Observatory, aimed at monitoring drug trafficking and consumption on the island. Additionally, it has promoted public trials and the confiscation of assets from traffickers, including homes, land, jewelry, and vehicles. However, many critics argue that these measures focus more on repression rather than addressing the economic and social roots of the problem.