The Internal Defense Operations Command (CODI) of the Joint Task Forces of Paraguay, composed of all military branches of the Armed Forces along with the National Police, Public Prosecutor’s Office, the National Anti-Drug Secretariat, and other state control entities, intensified their actions in the northern department of Canindeyú, bordering Brazil.
The most significant activities were carried out in the designated pacification sub-area No. 5, which recently was visited by the Minister of National Defense, retired General Óscar González, along with Army General César Moreno Landaira. This followed recent incidents in the area where a Paraguayan Air Force helicopter was fired upon during an operation, resulting in injuries to several officers, none of them serious.
During the past week, Operation Delta II was conducted, resulting in the destruction of a total of 107 hectares of illegal marijuana crops, 21 drug processing and storage camps, 653 kilograms of marijuana seeds, and 5,450 kilograms of processed marijuana ready for sale. This operation dealt a blow estimated at USD 9,797,000 to criminal organizations operating in the department of Canindeyú.
Additionally, in the department of Amambay, also bordering Brazil, Operation ECO IV was carried out, resulting in a setback of USD 2,671,500 for criminal organizations. This operation involved the destruction of 27 hectares of marijuana fields and the removal from the market of 7,800 kilograms of chopped marijuana, 250 kilograms of pressed marijuana, and 100 kilograms of marijuana seeds in 12 camps.
In an interview with Zona Militar, Minister González stated that the attack on the Paraguayan Air Force helicopter serving the Joint Task Forces was a somewhat expected consequence. “Intense work is being done in the area, hence the attack; these groups feel cornered and react. We will continue to have a strong presence both in the north and south to eradicate these criminal groups,” emphasized the Minister of National Defense.
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