In a significant move signaling strengthened cooperation in the fight against transnational crime, the government of Guinea-Bissau extradited four convicted South American drug traffickers to the United States on Wednesday.
The transfer was carried out under a judicial cooperation agreement between the two nations.
The four individuals were apprehended during “Operation Landing,” a successful operation conducted by the Guinea-Bissau Judicial Police on September 7, 2024. This operation resulted in the seizure of a record 2.6 tons of cocaine discovered hidden on an aircraft parked at Osvaldo Vieira International Airport in Bissau.
On January 6, 2025, the Bissau Regional Court delivered its verdict, sentencing five individuals to 17 years of imprisonment for their involvement in the massive drug trafficking operation. The court also ordered the confiscation of their assets by the state. According to the Guinea-Bissau government, the extradition of the four traffickers to the United States underscores a deepening judicial partnership aimed at bolstering the fight against transnational organized crime, with a particular focus on combating drug trafficking.
“Operation Landing,” which led to the arrest and subsequent extradition, was a result of effective international collaboration involving several key agencies. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), the Maritime Drug Trafficking Analysis and Operations Center (MAOC-N), and Interpol all played crucial roles in the success of the operation.
In a statement released on Wednesday, authorities in Guinea-Bissau reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to combating drug trafficking and pledged continued support for the efforts of judicial institutions and national security forces in this critical area.
Guinea-Bissau has long been considered a significant transit hub for cocaine trafficking between Latin America and Europe. Through this enhanced judicial cooperation and the extradition of these convicted traffickers, the government intends to send a strong message, demonstrating its resolve to break away from transnational criminal networks and strengthen its role in the global fight against drug trafficking. This move is seen as a crucial step in shedding its image as a narco-state and establishing itself as a reliable partner in international law enforcement efforts.
AC/Sf/fss/abj/APA