The Colombian Navy recently seized an unmanned semi-submersible watercraft it says was used by drug traffickers, the first such craft confiscated in Colombian waters.

Colombia has access to both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean, where the autonomous sub was discovered and seized, according to Colombian naval officials. They did not say when the craft was taken.

The craft was found off the coast of Santa Marta, Colombia, according to Colombian state broadcaster RTVC.

Drugs were not found aboard; according to Agence France-Presse, the Colombian Navy believes the Starlink-equipped submersible was doing a trial run for the Gulf Clan, the largest cartel in Colombia. The craft had room for 1.5 tons of cocaine, according to AFP.

Colombian officials said the submersible was among 10 such vehicles that have been found across the waters around South America in the first half of 2025.

In Colombia, the use, construction, sale, possession and transportation of such semi-submersible watercraft is punishable by up to 14 years in prison, according to RTVC.

• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.