Panama lands 5 tons of cocaine from semi-submersible

Authorities seized more than 5 tons of drugs inside the vessel and arrested four Colombians.

More than 5 tons of drugs were seized off the coast of Panama after authorities spotted a semi-submersible. Officials found the vessel near the province of Bocas del Toro.

The use of narco subs has increased since 2008. Once in the water, the drug submarines are difficult to detect without prior intelligence or aircraft to spot them. One capable of this size of load would be expected to cost upwards of $1m.