<p><br /> Ecuadorean authorities have discovered a 98 foot-long submarine being built near the country's Pacific Coast designed to carry drugs toward the United States.<br /> </p><p><br /> For years, US and South American law enforcement officials have battled semi-submersible craft that travel just below the surface to avoid detection and take cocaine to Central America for trans-shipment to the States.<br /> </p><p><br /> Authorities say the captured craft is the first designed to travel completely under water and was specially built for smuggling drugs.<br /> </p><p><br /> One person was arrested when Ecuadorean police, assisted by US anti-drug intelligence, captured the diesel electric-powered submarine. It was fitted with a periscope and air conditioning and was being readied for its maiden voyage.<br /> </p><p><br /> Ecuadorean military commander, Captain Carlos Albuja, said the sub could have ties to Colombia.<br /> </p><p><br /> "We see that there are direct connections through a maritime route with Puerto Palma, which is in southern Colombia, that possible it could be an escape route of people that in some manner originates in that country," he said.<br /> </p><p><br /> The Andean region is the world's biggest producer of cocaine and the United States represents the largest market.<br /> </p>
