Colombia's cocaine submarines

15 snips

Sep 6, 2025

Guest

Maria Zaccaro

Join José Carlos Cueto, a BBC Mundo reporter, as he reveals the high-tech arms race of Colombian cartels, featuring GPS-tracked, remotely operated submarines and expert scientists aiding cocaine production. Fan Wang uncovers the Labubu doll phenomenon, fueled by celebrity endorsements and a post-pandemic collector craze. Meanwhile, Maria Zaccaro discusses the alarming rise of sandstorms worldwide — their origins linked to climate change — and highlights the urgent need for awareness and action on environmental challenges.

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INSIGHT

Productivity Gains Fuel Coca Output

Colombia now uses higher-yield coca varieties and precision farming to massively increase output.
Some enclaves produce half the country's cocaine from only 15% of cultivated land.

INSIGHT

Falling Prices Drive A 'Narcotic Race'

Cocaine prices have fallen because supply outstrips demand, so traffickers boost volume to protect profits.
That drives investment in chemistry, transport and other efficiency improvements across the chain.

ANECDOTE

Experts Brought From Formal To Informal

Experts suspect cartels recruit agronomists and scientists, mirroring tactics used by Mexican cartels.
Mexican cartels may also be present in Colombia, transferring technical know-how and personnel.

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Deep inside the Colombian Amazon hi-tech submarines are being built. When it comes to making the cocaine trade more profitable, there’s nothing narco-traffickers aren’t willing to try. Some of the solutions they’re reportedly employing sound like something out of the American TV series Breaking Bad: GPS-trackers, remotely operated submarines and recruiting highly specialised scientists. Reporter José Carlos Cueto of BBC Mundo has been investigating the new trends and technologies used by cartels in Colombia and abroad.

Labubu dolls, the elf-like plush toys from the Chinese toy maker Pop Mart, seem to have taken the world by storm. Singer Rihanna had one clipped to her bag, influencer Kim Kardashian shared her collection of 10 dolls on Instagram, and former England football captain Sir David Beckham also shared a photo of a Labubu, given to him by his daughter. So, what’s behind this craze? Fan Wang reports from Singapore.

From the US to the Middle East, sand and dust storms have recently swept across many parts of the world, colouring the skies and leaving people with breathing problems. These storms traditionally originate in vast deserts. However, scientists believe that climate change means more people could be affected - with desertification and melting glaciers, exposing more dust. Maria Zaccaro, a BBC journalist reporting for the Global Journalism Science and Climate team, finds out more.

Mumbai in India is one of the most densely populated cities in the world - and it’s also the perfect habitat for leopards. BBC Marathi recently posted a video on their YouTube channel, showing these majestic wild cats strolling down residential streets and even entering people’s homes. In the past, there were several reports of human-animal conflict, including some deadly attacks. But since 2022 there have been no accidents at all. So how did people and leopards manage to find a way to live together in harmony? Reporter Mayuresh Konnur has the story.

This episode of The Documentary comes to you from The Fifth Floor, the show at the heart of global storytelling, with BBC journalists from all around the world.

This is an EcoAudio certified production.

(Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)