Police Operations Surge in Havana Amid Intensified Drug Crackdown

In recent days, Havana has seen a significant uptick in police operations targeting drug trafficking. Official social media accounts have been sharing information and images depicting the seizure of narcotics and the arrest of suspects across various districts. A Facebook user named Javier Gutiérrez, who is linked to the Cuban police, has reported multiple drug raids in Havana neighborhoods. These operations have resulted in the confiscation of large sums of money and the arrest of individuals involved in drug distribution.

This week, according to Gutiérrez's posts, "El Keny," a notorious drug dealer, and an accomplice were apprehended in the Arroyo Naranjo area. The raid on his residence uncovered bags of cocaine, a digital scale, and over $20,000. In another incident, authorities in the Alturas de la Lisa neighborhood detained a man named Héctor, discovering three packages of drugs and eight smaller paper packages in his home.

Meanwhile, in San Miguel del Padrón, a Friday operation led to the seizure of substantial cash, drug production documents, and manufacturing tools. Gutiérrez emphasized, "This is not just the responsibility of the authorities; it is a societal duty. The fight against drugs is a collective endeavor," praising the police for their swift response following criticism of their inaction.

In Guanabacoa, a residence on Santo Domingo between Calixto García and Estrada Palma was searched, leading to the arrest of Juan Carlos Soto on drug trafficking charges. The authorities discovered a large and a small package, along with 16 smaller bundles, a pair of scissors, a book with cut-out pages, a bag, and a spool of thread, items believed to be involved in drug sales.

Recent operations in Marianao and Plaza de la Revolución have also been reported by Gutiérrez. In the La Rampa area, Interior Ministry agents detained a man with a criminal history of drug trafficking on Calle I between Calzada and 9. The suspect was found with "126 doses of the chemical compound known as 'Químico'."

Since the Cuban police announced their crackdown, dozens have been arrested in Havana. Surprise inspections have led to the confiscation of drugs, cash, and materials used for trafficking these illegal substances. In the Boyeros municipality, the Sector Chief of Wajay interrupted a drug deal, seizing 128 packets of the cannabinoid known as "the chemical."

Similarly, in La Güinera, Arroyo Naranjo, individuals selling cannabinoids were caught. Among those arrested were Marnoldis Utria and Luis Echarte Cruz. The Cuban regime claims it has launched a war on drug trafficking, reinforcing a zero-tolerance stance toward narcotics.

Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz has highlighted that synthetic drugs are entering the country through "new methods and techniques," posing a threat to the island's security. Amid reports from the population and independent media about the rising use of "the chemical," the Cuban government has proposed the establishment of a National Drug Observatory (OND), overseen by the Ministry of Justice (Minjus). This institution will monitor and track drug-related issues across the island. Through an Early Warning System, it aims to identify new psychoactive substances and mitigate risks related to their usage and distribution.

The consumption of "the chemical" has resulted in distressing scenes of young people hallucinating and convulsing on the streets after using the drug.