SANTIAGO — Chilean authorities announced on Monday what they described as the country’s largest drug seizure on record, after investigators discovered more than 100 tonnes of illicit drugs concealed within lumber shipments that were bound for overseas markets, according to customs and law enforcement officials.
The seizure followed a six-month investigation involving Chile’s prosecutor’s office, maritime police and customs authorities. Officials said the operation uncovered approximately 1,080 tonnes of lumber that had been impregnated with drugs, primarily cocaine and ketamine, at the ports of Arica, San Antonio and Valparaíso.
Authorities said the contaminated cargo was intended for export to Europe and other international destinations. Investigators identified dozens of shipping containers carrying the treated wood after intelligence and inspection efforts raised suspicions about the shipments.
“Thanks to a joint effort by the prosecutor’s office, maritime police, and customs, 1,080 tonnes of wood laced with various drugs were seized,” Chile’s customs bureau said in a statement, describing the operation as a major blow against organized crime.
Officials said the drugs had been chemically embedded into the wood, making them difficult to detect through routine inspections. According to customs authorities, recovering the narcotics after arrival would have required specialized laboratory processes.
Security Minister Martín Arrau said the case demonstrated the scale and sophistication of criminal networks operating across borders. Authorities did not immediately identify the organizations believed to be responsible, and no comprehensive information on arrests was released. Details on potential suspects remain unclear.
The operation reflects a broader trend in which trafficking groups employ increasingly complex concealment methods to move drugs through commercial supply chains. Law enforcement agencies in several countries have reported recent cases involving narcotics hidden in food products, industrial equipment and other cargo.
Chile’s customs bureau estimated the seized drugs would have had a multibillion-dollar retail value in destination markets, though such valuations are based on official assessments. Authorities said the quantity removed from circulation exceeded previous national records for a single anti-drug operation.
As of Tuesday, investigators were continuing to examine additional containers linked to the case. Prosecutors and customs officials said further inspections were underway and that the total amount of drugs seized could increase as the investigation progresses.
