Mexican Navy Seizes 1.2 Tons of Cocaine in Pacific, Detains Six With U.S. Support

Mexico City — The Mexican Navy, working with the U.S. Coast Guard, seized about 1.2 tons of suspected cocaine and detained six people during a maritime operation roughly 677 kilometers (420 miles) south of Huatulco, Oaxaca, federal authorities announced Monday.

Officials said a patrol aircraft detected the vessel during a maritime surveillance flight, prompting the deployment of Mexican Navy air and surface units.

Crews found 46 packages aboard containing about 1,268 kilograms of the drug. According to official reports, five of the six detainees are believed to be foreign nationals.

The suspects were handed over to the relevant authorities, while the shipment was taken to the 22nd Naval Zone in Puerto Chiapas, Chiapas, before being turned over to the Federal Prosecutor’s Office (FGR).

The prosecutor’s office will determine the final weight of the substance and continue the investigation.

Security and Citizen Protection Secretary Omar García Harfuch said the seizure represents an estimated loss of 289.1 million pesos for criminal organizations. Authorities also calculated that the operation prevented the distribution of roughly 2.536 million doses.

García Harfuch said the Navy has seized more than 90 tons of cocaine in maritime operations during the current federal administration.

The operation is part of ongoing cooperation between Mexico and the United States against maritime drug trafficking, through surveillance work and information-sharing between the two agencies.