Honduras Plans to Destroy 30 Clandestine Airstrips in July to Combat Drug Trafficking

From La Prensa on June 10, 2013- According to the head of the Honduran Armed Forces, René Osorio, the Honduran Army will be destroying at least 30 clandestine airstrips in the month of July as a part of operation “Hammer” or “Armadillo.” Orsorio said that military units have discovered the airstrips throughout the country, but for security reasons the locations were not released. In 2012, Honduran authorities destroyed more than 70 clandestine airstrips, and seized more than 5,000 kilos of cocaine and close to 20,000 kilos of pseudoephedrine paste, used for the fabrication of ecstasy. 79% of drugs that arrive in Mexico from South America pass through Honduras according the U.S. authorities. 80% of the drugs that are trafficked through Honduras are sent via the sea and 20% are by land and air, according to Honduran authorities. Read Article