This week, two women were taken into custody in the Colón neighborhood of Central Havana following reports from local residents accusing them of selling drugs in the area. According to details shared by the pro-government Facebook account "Frank Enrique," the accused women, both with criminal backgrounds, were apprehended near the well-known El Curita park, where they allegedly conducted their illegal activities.
Reports indicate that the suspects were involved in distributing a high-risk synthetic cannabinoid drug known as "the chemical," which is increasingly affecting larger segments of Cuba's youth. The detainees, originally from Santiago de Cuba and Guantánamo, were illegally residing in the area, apparently renting clandestinely without official registration as residents of the municipality.
Alarmed by the growing insecurity, residents of the Colón neighborhood alerted authorities to the suspicious activities of the women, which enabled law enforcement to intervene. "Let the full weight of the law fall upon them," the post concluded, calling for severe penalties for those who repeat such offenses.
The case sparked mixed reactions on social media. While most users praised the arrests, others urged a deeper examination of the societal roots that fuel such phenomena in vulnerable urban sectors.
In recent months, the Cuban government has intensified its campaign against drug trafficking on the island, a problem that has escalated to unprecedented levels in recent years, mirroring the worsening economic and social crisis in the country. Although "the chemical" is the most trafficked and consumed drug lately, marijuana, crack, and other drugs are also present.
In March, a police operation in the Cayo Hueso neighborhood, also located in Central Havana, resulted in the arrest of a citizen from Cienfuegos on charges of drug dealing, including crack, a potent cocaine derivative. Additionally, this same week, Cuban authorities uncovered an illegal marijuana plantation with over 1,200 plants in the municipality of Bayamo, Granma province, marking one of the largest reported cases of clandestine drug cultivation on the island.
Drug Trafficking Concerns in Cuba
What led to the arrest of the two women in Central Havana?
The two women were arrested after residents in the Colón neighborhood reported them to authorities for allegedly selling drugs, leading to their apprehension near El Curita park.
What drug were the suspects allegedly distributing?
The suspects were reportedly involved in distributing a synthetic cannabinoid known as "the chemical," a drug that poses significant health risks.
How has the Cuban government responded to the drug trafficking issue?
The Cuban government has intensified its efforts against drug trafficking, a problem that has worsened alongside the country's economic and social challenges.