Key Takeaways:
– Mexican Navy intercepted 3.6 tons of cocaine from a “narco sub” off the Pacific coast near Acapulco.
– The boat, known as “go-fast boats,” contained a crew of nine people, six of whom were foreigners.
– The seizure adds to the Mexican Navy’s recent record of over 15,000 kilograms of alleged drugs seized at sea under the current administration.
Mexican Navy Scores Big in Drug Intercept
The Mexican Navy declared on Tuesday that it successfully intercepted a boat filled with approximately 3.6 tons of cocaine. The interception took place 153 miles off the popular resort town of Acapulco, located on the Pacific coast.
Cocaine Stashed in “Go-Fast” Boat
The vessel, known for their speed and agility, is among the types identified as “go-fast boats.” It was outfitted with two outboard motors and designed with an inconspicuous semi-submersible structure. Known in the international drug trafficking world as a “narco sub,” this unique design serves to make the boat’s detection more difficult.
According to the authorities, the boat was transporting 102 packages filled with bricks of cocaine. The Navy revealed an image of the intercepted cocaine, neatly packed into numbered packages and encircled by two naval ships.
Crew Members Detained
Aboard the illicit cargo vessel, nine crew members were detained by the Navy. Of these apprehended individuals, six were not Mexican nationals, indicating the broad scope of the drug trafficking network. The nationalities of these foreigners were not disclosed, although it is common knowledge that these narco subs are frequently crewed by Colombian or Venezuelan nationals.
Recent Busts Reflect Successful Anti-Narcotics Efforts
This major seizure follows hot on the heels of several high-profile drug busts by the Mexican navy. It was just recently that the Navy announced the seizure of 8.3 tons of drugs from the Pacific Ocean, a record achievement for a single operation at sea. This extraordinary haul was intercepted from six different vessels, one of them being a narco sub containing about 4,800 pounds of narcotics.
Continued Sea-Faring Narco Crime
Narco trafficking via the Pacific Ocean is not a new trend. Cocaine is produced in South America and is routinely shipped via the Pacific or the Caribbean to penetrate the lucrative U.S. market. The recent seizures indicate an increase in seaborne drug smuggling activities, keeping the Mexican Navy and additional international maritime authorities constantly on high alert.
Semi-submersibles, despite not being capable of going fully underwater, are favoured among international drug traffickers. These vessels have, on occasion, successfully eluded detection by law enforcement. The Colombian navy reported seizing two such “narco subs” from its Pacific coast earlier this summer. Together, these boats carried almost 5 tons of cocaine.
A Tangible Success
The Tuesday seizure elevates the total alleged drugs seized at sea by the current administration to a considerable 15,000 kilograms. Earlier this year, the Mexican Navy confiscated more than seven tons of suspected cocaine in two separate Pacific Ocean raids. The recent success stories of the Mexican Navy are sending a clear message to drug cartels in Mexico and their collaborators beyond the national borders, serving as a stark reminder of the authorities’ commitment to combating the international drug trade.