Property destruction: Around 18 March 2025 (as reported), in the rural area of Guachavez municipality (Santa Cruz, Narino), military forces destroyed a clandestine cocaine lab belonging to suspected members of the ELN. At the site, authorities found 355 kilograms of cocaine, along with chemical precursors for its production.

Supply-chain Risk Briefing

Summary

On March 18, 2025, military authorities in the Guachaves region of Nariño Department, Colombia destroyed an illegal cocaine manufacturing facility believed to belong to the ELN (National Liberation Army). 355kg of cocaine and chemical precursors used in manufacturing were discovered at the site, classified as a low-grade strategic event.

Supply-chain impact

• Chemical precursor supply chains: Suggests that chemical precursors used in cocaine manufacturing are entering the region through illegal distribution networks, with potential for diversion from legitimate chemical product supply chains
• Regional transportation networks: Nariño Department's proximity to the Ecuador border creates an environment where illegal substance manufacturing and transportation could indirectly impact legitimate commercial logistics
• Agricultural supply chains: Risk of land use competition between coca cultivation and legitimate crops in rural areas of ELN activity zones, and potential diversion of agricultural inputs

Watch points

• Follow-up enforcement operations: Whether Colombian military and police expand anti-ELN operations and trends in detection of additional manufacturing facilities
• Chemical precursor regulation strengthening: Impact of changes in government chemical substance distribution monitoring and regulatory measures on legitimate chemical industries