El 701 is a reference to El Chapo Guzman, in 2009 he was named the 701st richest man in the world by Forbes magazine.



The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Monday it seized nearly 700 kilos of cocaine in a warehouse in Moscow. Some of the drugs had to be smuggled from Russia to the European Union. Two Colombians and a suspect from the EU have been arrested.

The cocaine was smuggled from a Latin American country to Russia and part of it should be transported from there to the European Union. The FSB explains: "The Federal Security Service foiled an attempt by another international criminal group to use Russian territory for the transit and sale of drugs."

'El 701 The Boss'
According to the FSB, the shipment of cocaine was smuggled from South or Central America to Russia and stored in a warehouse in Moscow. The warehouse was rented to a man. Part of the cocaine would be destined for an EU country and the rest would have to be sold in Russia. Part of the blocks had stamps that read 'El 701 The Boss' and another part 'Tokio'.

Whether part of the consignment was actually destined for the EU is not entirely clear. After all, the Russian authorities are known for spreading disinformation and fake news.

67 million euros
According to the FSB, a total of 699 kilos of cocaine was found, worth more than 2.5 billion rubles. According to the Russian authorities, the cocaine, once cut, had a street value of at least 6 billion rubles (more than 67 million euros).

Two Colombians and an EU citizen allegedly arrived in Russia to carry out a multi-stage drug smuggling operation. All three are in prison and can receive up to 20 years in prison.