Story highlights It's the largest seizure in history on Colombian territory, officials say

The gang targeted was the notorious Clan Úsuga

(CNN) The country where drug lord Pablo Escobar once wielded more power than many elected officials made a staggering announcement over the weekend.

Colombian authorities trumpeted what they said was their biggest cocaine seizure ever.

Police seized more than eight metric tons (more than 17,500 pounds) of cocaine from a gang in a series of operations.

The hefty haul weighs more than an African elephant and could have a street value of hundreds of millions of dollars.

But there's an even bigger question looming: Is the massive seizure a sign that Colombia is closing in on its most wanted criminal?