In recent days, the Ministry of the Interior (Minint) has launched an offensive across multiple municipalities in Granma, targeting drug trafficking and cultivation, smuggling, and illegal cattle slaughter. Despite these efforts, crime remains rampant.
In Bayamo, a drug bust in the Ciro Redondo neighborhood resulted in the discovery of narcotics within a home. Meanwhile, in the Siboney area, authorities detained an individual in possession of marijuana. Further operations in Pilón revealed a house where numerous marijuana plants were being grown, as reported by the official newspaper, La Demajagua.
Manzanillo also witnessed several police actions. In the Caymari district, officers seized packets of marijuana along with a substantial amount of cash, suspected to be profits from drug sales. Additionally, two individuals were caught transporting illegal chemical drugs from Manzanillo to the provincial capital.
Authorities apprehended a drug dealer in Bayamo who had stored marijuana and chemical substances in his residence, and caught a thief red-handed at the Luis Ramírez López market. The illegal slaughter of cattle was also on their radar. In Manzanillo, the police arrested four people for killing a bull in the Cayo Espino area and detained a truck driver carrying over 400 boxes of Criollos cigarettes without proper documentation.
Furthermore, more than 1,000 illegal cigars intended for high-priced black market sales were confiscated in Bayamo, according to media reports. The authorities attribute these results to collaboration between Minint and the public. However, the variety and extent of crimes suggest deeper issues that mere police operations have yet to address.
In early July, Minint announced an expansion of restricted areas along the southern coast of Pilón and Niquero due to increased drug landings and individuals illegally accessing the area to obtain narcotics for resale. Moreover, a Granma court sentenced a Cuban citizen to eight years in prison for marijuana possession as part of an intensified judicial campaign against drug trafficking and use in Cuba.
Previously, in late June, a "show trial" took place in Niquero for assaulting law enforcement officers during the Third National Exercise for Crime, Corruption, Drugs, Illegal Activities, and Social Indiscipline Prevention and Control. These initiatives reflect growing concern over the rise of drug trafficking and consumption on the island, especially synthetic cannabinoids or "chemical" drugs gaining traction in urban areas like Havana.
The Supreme People's Court has issued a new ruling to impose stricter penalties for trafficking or possessing such substances, even in amounts less than a pound. Authorities emphasize that these lab-made drugs, despite resembling marijuana, are highly toxic and can cause seizures, psychosis, or even death. The new measures aim to close legal loopholes and offer more effective responses to a phenomenon that analysts say is overwhelming institutional capabilities.
The Cuban regime seeks to project an image of control through exemplary trials, yet social media and citizen testimonials paint a grimmer picture. Reports have emerged of entire families involved in drug networks, thousands of devastating addiction cases, and a deteriorating social fabric.
Key Questions About Drug Trafficking and Crime in Granma
What areas in Granma have been targeted for police operations?
Recent police operations have focused on Bayamo, Pilón, and Manzanillo, particularly targeting drug trafficking and illegal activities.
What substances are of particular concern in Granma?
Authorities are especially concerned about marijuana and synthetic cannabinoids, which are increasingly prevalent in urban areas.
How are synthetic cannabinoids affecting the community?
These lab-made drugs are highly toxic and can lead to severe health issues, including seizures and psychosis, posing a significant threat to community well-being.