Link to the Article: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyrjng13jlo
A semi-submersible vessel packed with cocaine was just seized by the Colombian navy as part of a mission by “Orion”, a multinational naval operation that targets drug trafficking. It was suspected that the vessel was heading to Australia through a new smuggling route as maps revealed. Australia has the highest per Capita cocaine usage across the globe; and smuggling just a kilogram of cocaine can make a profit of $240,000 in Australia which is six times more than the profit made in the US. According to Colombian officials, this is the third semi-submersible vessel they have caught in this particular area of the Pacific ocean. This could mean gangs from South America have found a more direct path to smuggle drugs to Australia. Orion has played a huge part in finding these many vessels filled with illegal drugs; just over a six week period Orion intercepted over 225 tons of cocaine and conducted more than 400 arrests across nations. Australia and Colombia worked together after the Colombian navy discovered the new route. While collaborating they found close ties between South America and Oceania drug trafficking gangs.
This article is important because it shows how crucial cooperation and collaboration is between nations in order to combat global security threats, such as drug trafficking. Drug trafficking can create many negative impacts on countries like threatening national security, producing violence and furthering corruption. This event can make Colombia and Australia’s ties stronger as they join forces to address the blatant issues of drug trafficking across nations. A group like Orion is very beneficial to combat issues of global security because multiple countries can offer unique resources and provide new suggestions on counteracting the problem. Organized crime groups will now have to modify their routes which could lead to greater drug trafficking activity in other regions of the world. Considering the amount of cocaine and other illegal drugs that have been found at sea, many countries may respond by ramping up anti-trafficking measures and increasing their funding for international security. Australia could make sure to create relations with Southeast Asian countries to ensure routes through that region are not utilized by drug traffickers. Australia could also invest money into making advanced technology that could identify smuggling vessels near or in transit to them. Colombia could increase naval patrols and surveillance in prominent smuggling areas in the Pacific Ocean as well as furthering their relationship with Australia to utilize joint intelligence and power.
This event emphasizes the prominent role international institutions play in addressing global security issues. When relating this event to what we are learning in class, the Orion operation is a good example of how an international institution can be used to provide aid to transnational issues. Colombia, Australia and many other countries collaborated together to form international law norms and strategies for countries dealing with drug trafficking. This event shows how international institutions can create more security across all nations when pooling different resources and minds together.