Two Russians were detained in Colombia, whom American authorities suspect of organizing an international cocaine smuggling channel. According to investigators, the criminal network transported drugs to the United States and Europe on specially equipped sailboats, hiding the cargo in caches on board. Now Washington is seeking the extradition of Oleg Khazov and Vitaly Zhikarev, the Colombian publication El Universal reports, citing the country’s Prosecutor General’s Office.
The operation was carried out simultaneously in two cities. Khazov was detained at a pier in Cartagena, and Zhikarev was found in the prestigious El Poblado area in Medellin. Employees of the investigative unit of the Colombian prosecutor’s office with the support of the country’s Navy and the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) participated in the capture of the suspects.
According to materials from the Federal Court of the Eastern District of Louisiana, the Russians were part of an international group that united citizens of Colombia and European countries. The organization operated on the country’s Atlantic coast and in the Gulf of Uraba, using sea routes to send large quantities of illegal substances abroad.
Investigators believe that the responsibilities between the alleged participants in the scheme were clearly distributed. Khazov, according to the American side, coordinated the logistics of drug trafficking, being responsible for organizing supplies. Zhikarev was allegedly involved in the acquisition and refurbishment of sailing ships, as well as the search for crews for international flights.
The proposed scheme began away from the coast. Cocaine shipments were transported from Bogota and Medellin to the Caribbean Sea, where they were prepared for further transportation. The drugs were hidden in specially equipped compartments of sailing ships, after which the ships were sent to foreign destinations. The total volume of transportation of the entire group, according to investigators, could amount to tons.
One of the episodes of the investigation was the confiscation of 77 kilograms of cocaine in the US state of Louisiana. The drugs were discovered on May 25, 2025, in Metairie. US law enforcement officials believe that both detained Russians could have been involved in sending this shipment.
The men are now in the custody of Colombian prosecutors. Local authorities will notify the American side of the detention through diplomatic channels, after which the United States will have to formally issue a request for the extradition of the suspects. The case file includes charges related to drug trafficking and participation in a criminal conspiracy.
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