The Attorney General’s Office (FGR) supervised yesterday, July 9, the destruction of 64,263.14 grams of drugs seized in various operations carried out in El Salvador, with an estimated value of 357,502.87 dollars.
The process, which was carried out with the support of the Anti-Narcotics Division of the National Civil Police (PNC) and the Superintendency of Health Regulation (SRS), included the incineration of marijuana, cocaine, and methamphetamines confiscated in various regions of the country.
During the day, representatives from the FGR, along with teams from the PNC and the SRS, carried out the verification of the incineration process. The authorities included field testing, registration, and classification of each type of drug before their destruction. As reported by the Public Prosecutor’s Office, this procedure follows the legal guidelines for the final disposal of illicit substances seized in anti-narcotics operations.
The destroyed substances correspond to:
- 58,620.4 grams of marijuana
- 4,937.322 grams of cocaine
- 705.426 grams of methamphetamines.
The total sum, as detailed by the FGR, amounts to 64,263.14 grams, with a value in the illegal market of 357,502.87 dollars. These figures were verified by technical personnel from the SRS, who certified each phase of the procedure.
More Read
Prohibited substances and seized packaging, gathered for destruction in compliance with national anti-drug regulations (Courtesy: FGR).
We recommend reading: Tobacco, alcohol, and agrochemicals fuel illegal trade in Central America
Scope of seizures and judicial proceedings
According to official information, the narcotics destroyed correspond to 54 seizure processes carried out in the departments of Santa Ana, La Libertad, San Miguel, San Salvador, and Sonsonate. The authorities confirmed that the cases have already been prosecuted, and those responsible are serving prison sentences for crimes linked to drug trafficking.
More Read
The report indicates that the seizures are part of operations coordinated by the Security Cabinet, aimed at combating drug dealing and large-scale trafficking. According to the PNC, multiple tons of drugs have been seized so far this year, and distribution networks have been dismantled in key cities such as San Miguel and San Salvador.
In El Salvador, drug-related crimes are governed by the Regulatory Law on Drug-Related Activities (LRARD). This regulation establishes penalties ranging from 1 to 15 years in prison, depending on the type and quantity of the drug seized, as well as the purpose of the possession.
A package of narcotics, verified and signed by the authorities, is prepared for the disposal process.
The law classifies crimes mainly into three categories:
- Possession and Holding (article 34): For quantities of less than 2 grams, the penalty ranges from 1 to 3 years in prison. If the quantity is equal to or greater than 2 grams, the penalty is 3 to 6 years in prison.
- Illicit Trafficking (article 33): When it is proven that the drugs are possessed for the purposes of commercialization, storage, export, or distribution, the penalty is set between 6 and 10 years in prison.
- Transactions and Related Activities (article 46): Financial or commercial operations involving assets derived from drug trafficking are punishable by 8 to 15 years in prison.
These legal provisions seek to differentially sanction possession for personal consumption, trafficking, and money laundering operations related to drug trafficking.
Combating drug trafficking represents a priority for Salvadoran authorities. According to information provided by the PNC, operations have allowed for the interception of significant shipments and the dismantling of criminal structures dedicated to drug trafficking.
The current legal framework and permanent operations reflect the Salvadoran State’s focus on reducing drug trafficking and consumption, as well as the criminal prosecution of those who commit these crimes.
