CARACAS, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan authorities seized a total of 47 tons of drugs during 2022, the head of Venezuela's National Anti-Drug Superintendence (Sunad) Richard Lopez Vargas said Thursday.
The official detailed in an interview for state-owned Venezolana de Television that already this year, more than two tons of drugs have been seized by the South American country.
Lopez Vargas said that Venezuela is recognized by international organizations as free of illicit crops and one of the nations with the lowest prevalence of narcotics consumption.
The Sunad head also said that with the recent reestablishment of relations between Colombia and Venezuela, the exchange of information between the two countries may allow "an increase in drug seizures" in the region.
He referred to an operation carried out at the end of January, in which through the joint action of anti-drug units from Colombia, France and Venezuela, 320 kg of cocaine was seized in international waters.
"Venezuela responds immediately to the international policy on drug matters," Lopez Vargas added, pointing out that information is shared on a permanent basis with United Nations authorities dedicated to combatting drug trafficking.
He also said that the unilateral sanctions imposed by the United States have delayed the necessary updating of the technological equipment Venezuela uses in the fight against drug trafficking. ■
