At Saturn Partners, we emphasize time and again that while cybersecurity technology continues to evolve, the greatest vulnerability remains unchanged: the human factor.
A recent case reported by The Maritime Executive underscores the very real and alarming consequences of insider threats in maritime operations—this time, with ties to an elaborate drug trafficking scheme involving former Colombian Navy personnel and GPS tracking.
A Breach from Within
Two former employees of Colombia’s Armada Nacional—Alberto Alvarez Valenzuela, a retired civil electromechanical engineer, and Luis Carlos Diaz Martinez, a former Navy serviceman—were extradited to the United States this year to face trial for conspiring to distribute cocaine. Their alleged involvement? Assisting one of Colombia’s most notorious drug cartels in tracking naval patrol routes by planting GPS tracking devices on active Colombian Navy vessels.
The indictment reveals that frigates and patrol boats—including the ARC Antioquia, ARC Punta Espalda, ARC 11 de Noviembre, and ARC Toledo—were compromised between November 2022 and March 2023. By monitoring these ships, the drug traffickers were able to reroute their own vessels, including go-fast boats and semisubmersibles, to avoid interception in the Caribbean and waters near Panama and Cartagena.
This case is not about hacking into systems or exploiting technical flaws. It’s a stark reminder that when individuals on the inside are motivated by money or coercion, no firewall or software patch can stop them.
A Pattern of Exploitation
This isn’t the first time maritime cartels have leaned on local knowledge and insider access. Reports have also shown drug gangs paying off fishermen to act as informants, relaying naval movements in real time. The scale of these operations is staggering—over 1,000 metric tons of cocaine are moved from Colombia via maritime routes annually.
What makes this recent case especially concerning is the collusion among multiple levels of Navy personnel, including active-duty officers, showing just how deep the corruption runs.
What This Means for Maritime Cybersecurity
Even the best network and endpoint protection can’t account for willful human deceit. That’s why insider threat programs, access monitoring, and zero-trust architecture are more critical than ever—especially in industries like maritime shipping and naval logistics, where physical infrastructure and national security intersect.
The takeaway is clear: technology can only do so much. Without sound processes and strict personnel oversight, the threat of human error—or worse, intentional sabotage—remains very real.
Cybersecurity is not just a digital discipline—it’s a human one, too.
Conclusion
Need guidance on strengthening your security posture against insider threats?
Saturn Partners can help. Contact us for a consultation on building a more resilient cybersecurity program for your maritime or OT environment.