BOGOTA, April 16 (UPI) -- Nearly 6 tons of marijuana and cocaine allegedly owned by major rebel and drug trafficking groups have been seized in raids by Colombian police.
Authorities said the operations, conducted in the southwestern departments of Cauca and Valle del Cauca, represented major blows to the FARC rebel group and drug cartels, Colombia Reports said Tuesday.
In the Padilla community of northern Cauca, police said they confiscated 2 tons of marijuana they believed belonged to the Sixth Front of FARC, which operates in the area. Three tons of marijuana more was found in the town of Buga in Valle del Cauca, Defense Minister Juan Carlos Pinzon said.
About 1,490 pounds of cocaine were seized in the port city of Buenaventura, Pinzon said. Authorities said the shipment was destined for Panama from where it would be shipped to Mexico.
Police valued the shipment at $20 million and alleged it belonged to FARC and the trafficking organization Los Rastrojos.
Separately in Buenaventura, 443 pounds of cocaine were seized that police alleged was owned by the neo-military group Los Urabenos.
FARC has denied involvement in the drug trade.
