Colombian Police Raid Illegal Oil Refineries in Norte de Santander

In a recent police operation, Colombian authorities raided illegal oil refineries in the Norte de Santander department, confiscating over seven million gallons of crude oil from illegal armed groups. Illegal oil production and trade pose significant challenges in Colombia, as this business is dominated by criminal organizations that contribute to instability and environmental harm. Oil is a crucial component of cocaine preparation and represents a major revenue source for these groups, alongside drug trafficking and illegal mining.

Illegal oil refineries in Norte de Santander

The March 2024 operation against these illegal refineries took place in the municipality of Tibu, a few kilometers away from the Venezuelan border. In addition to the crude oil, police seized 4,250 gallons of refined oil and equipment for refining and storing the illicit fuel.
In recent years, Norte de Santander department has emerged as a center for illegal oil production. Back in Feburary 2024, the Carabineers corps dismantled 11 illegal refineries operated by the ELN, formerly a far-left guerrilla, which has evolved into a criminal organization.

The stolen crude oil is diverted from pipelines and used either in the cocaine production process or sold as contraband fuel. This illicit activity generates million of dollars, creating fierce competition among rival criminal factions for control of this lucrative business.

Norte de Santander, a criminal hub

Although 86.6 percent of Colombia’s oil production is concentrated in the departments of Meta, Casanare, Arauca, Santander and Huila, Norte de Santander benefits from the high demand for fuel from Venezuela. Indeed, given Venezuela’s challenges in producing oil, despite its vast reserves, Norte de Santander has emerged as a key hub for oil smuggling.

The department is also Colombia’s leading cocaine producer, accounting for almost 30 percent of the total. This intense activity explains the dozens of illegal oil refineries scattered throughout the region, given oil’s crucial role in the cocaine manufacturing process.