Colombia Seizes Pair of Drug Submarines

One had a sophisticated GPS system and could stay under for 10 days

Colombian authorities seized a pair of submarines used to smuggle cocaine, including one that had a sophisticated navigation system and was named "The Black Pearl."

One of the submarines, found on the country's Pacific coast on Friday, could carry up to 10 tons of cocaine and was outfitted with a GPS navigation system, according to insightcrime.org. On Monday, authorities announced the discovery of a smaller but more sophisticated submarine, dubbed "The Black Pearl," hidden in a wooden shack in the dense jungle along the Pacific coastline, according to a report from the BBC.

The $2 million "Black Pearl" was made of steel and fiberglass and could carry four tons of cocaine, the BBC said. It could stay submerged for 10 days with a crew of five and had radar, navigation and communication systems.

Both vessels were built for the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebel group, which finances its operations with drug money.

The drug subs have become the newest generation of smuggling vessels. Despite their shoddy appearance, narco-subs can evade some of the world's most technologically advanced military equipment. In February, Colombian authorities captured a 100-foot-long narco sub capable of traveling to Mexico at depths of up to 30 feet.

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