Mexico's navy says it has seized more than eight tons of illegal cargo and arrested 23 people in the largest drug bust in history during an operation off the country's southwestern Pacific coast.
“Navy personnel seized 8,361 kilograms of illegal cargo, representing the largest amount of narcotics seized in a maritime operation and unprecedented in history,” the Navy Department said in a statement Friday.
He did not specify the type of drugs, but said they were worth 2.099 billion pesos ($105 million).
The navy also seized 8,700 liters of fuel and six boats off the coast near Lazaro Cárdenas in Michoacán state and further south off the coast of Guerrero state.
“The 23 detainees who have been declared entitled, as well as six boats, presumed drugs and fuel, have been handed over to the competent authorities for integration into the corresponding investigation,” the navy added.
The drugs were distributed in six small boats, one of which was a submarine, suggesting “complex” actions on the part of the crew, the ministry added.
The largest drug seizure in Mexican history was 23 tons of Colombian cocaine in November 2007. The Navy said Friday's announcement marks the largest amount ever seized in a maritime operation.
The latest attack, reported on Friday, was carried out “several days ago” by surface forces with helicopter support, the ministry said.
On August 23, authorities reported seizing approximately 7 tons of drugs in two separate operations in the same region of the country.
The Mexican Navy, which conducts permanent surveillance operations, discovered in 2016 a shipment of all kinds of drugs, including cocaine, packed in 217 barrels of chili sauce.
The U.S. pressures Mexico to step up efforts to stop drug trafficking, while Mexico urges the U.S. to do more to stop firearms from crossing the border into Mexico and into criminal organizations. pressure to do so.
Partnership with Reuters and Agence France-Presse
