Mexico’s navy has mentioned it arrested 23 individuals in its largest-ever medication bust, seizing over eight tonnes of illicit cargo in an operation off the nation’s south-western Pacific coast.
“Navy personnel seized 8,361 kilograms of illicit cargo, which represents the most important quantity of medication seized in a maritime operation, unprecedented in historical past,” a press release from the ministry of the navy mentioned on Friday.
It didn’t specify the kind of the medication, however mentioned they have been valued at 2.099bn pesos ($105m).
The navy additionally seized 8,700 litres of gasoline and 6 boats of the coast close to Lazaro Cardenas, in Michoacan state, and additional south off the coast of Guerrero state.
“The 23 detainees, who have been learn their rights, in addition to the six boats, the presumed medication and the gasoline have been handed over to the competent authorities for integration into the corresponding investigation,” the navy added.
The medication have been distributed in six small boats and one of many vessels was a submersible, which implied a “complicated” motion on the a part of the sailors, the ministry added.
The most important drug seizure in Mexico’s historical past was 23 tonnes of Colombian cocaine in November 2007. In line with the navy, Friday’s announcement represents the most important quantity ever seized in a maritime operation.
The newest raid reported on Friday was carried out “days in the past” by floor items backed by a helicopter, the ministry mentioned.
On 23 August, authorities reported that they had impounded about seven tonnes of medication in two separate operations in the identical space of the nation.
The Mexican navy, which conducts surveillance operations on a everlasting foundation, has found all types of drug shipments, together with one in all cocaine stuffed in 217 barrels of chilli sauce in 2016.
The US has pushed Mexico to ramp up its efforts to cease drug trafficking, whereas Mexico has pressured the US to do extra to stem the stream of firearms to felony teams throughout the border into Mexico.
With Reuters and Agence France-Presse
