Mexican Navy Seizes Semi-Submersible With Nearly 4 Tonnes Of Cocaine Off Pacific Coast

The Mexican Navy has intercepted a semi-submersible vessel carrying nearly four tonnes of suspected cocaine in the Pacific Ocean, more than 250 nautical miles south-southwest of the port of Manzanillo in the state of Colima.

Three individuals were detained during the maritime operation.

Mexico’s Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch said the seizure formed part of maritime operations conducted over the past week, during which authorities had confiscated nearly 10 tonnes of drugs.

According to Mexico’s federal Security Cabinet, the vessel was identified as a low-profile vessel (LPV), commonly referred to as a semi-submersible.

Authorities reported that approximately 179 packages of varying sizes, representing several tonnes of suspected cocaine, were found on board.

The final weight is pending official confirmation by competent authorities once the vessel reaches port.

The operation was led by the Mexican Navy (Semar), acting as Coast Guard, in coordination with the Ministry of National Defense, the Attorney General’s Office (FGR), the National Guard (GN), and the Ministry of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC).

An ocean patrol vessel conducted the interception, supported by two fixed-wing aircraft, two rotary-wing aircraft and two interceptor patrol boats.

Mexican authorities stated that intelligence shared by the U.S. Northern Command and the U.S. Joint Interagency Task Force South contributed to the operation.

The detained individuals were informed of their legal rights and, along with the seized cargo, will be handed over to the relevant authorities to determine their legal status upon arrival at port.

Earlier this week, El Salvador’s navy reported seizing 6.6 metric tonnes of cocaine from a vessel intercepted 380 miles southwest of its coast, in what Salvadoran authorities described as the largest drug seizure in the country’s history.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has recently adopted a firmer approach towards drug trafficking organisations, including the transfer of dozens of detainees to the United States for prosecution.

At the same time, she has expressed disagreement with recent U.S. military strikes in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean targeting vessels suspected of carrying drugs.

References: Reuters, AP News

Source: Maritime Shipping News