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on the border line between the US and Mexico
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Friday, July 24, 2015

US Seizes 8 Tons of Cocaine on a narco sub

Lucio R. Borderland Beat republished by Uncle Grumpy from Business Insider

US authorities gained control of a "narco-submarine" filled with eight tons of cocaine.

In a joint operation, the US Navy, US Coast Guard, and assets from the Customs and Border Protection Office of Air and Marine, intercepted a "narco-submarine" filled with more than 16,870 pounds of cocaine off the coast of El Salvador.
Sub with the 8 Tons

On July 18, a Coast Guard cutter commandeered a self-propelled, semisubmersible vessel carrying 274 bales of cocaine weighing more than eight tons, according to a press release from US Customs and Border Patrol.

The four individuals found with the illicit contraband were detained by US authorities.

Mexican and South American drug cartels and their broader networks are entirely dependent on an ability to get their product onto US soil. And if there's one thing that these organizations are good at, it's changing their operating methods in order to stay one step ahead of the game.


As the United States, Mexico, and Colombia intensified their war on drugs throughout the late 1990s and the 2000s, the cartels had to redesign  various ways that they could smuggle cocaine into the US. With billions of dollars in annual revenue at stake, no idea for getting drugs into the US buyers was considered too outlandish.

But the ultimate in high-risk, high-reward smuggling is the "narco submarine," homemade subs that can bring thousands of pounds of product to the US at once.

According to a US Foreign Military Studies Office (FMSO) report on narco submarines citing Drug Enforcement Administration statistics, 80% of drugs smuggled into the US in 2012 came from maritime routes. And 30% of the drugs that arrived in the US by sea were conducted via narco submarines. Like narco tanks, narco submarines show how cartels have mastered do-it-yourself engineering. Even so, around one in four of the vessels are interdicted. 


There are four broad categories of vessel that fall under the narco submarine label: low-profile vessels, semi-submersibles, submersibles, and towed narco "torpedoes." 

Similar to a submarine, "narco-subs" are custom-built vessels used by traffickers to move large amounts of drugs. The first narco-sub was detected in 1993 and was built from wood and fiberglass, and  could not submerge, and could only travel at 10 mph.

The majority of narco submarines discovered have been LPVs, (low profile vessels) perhaps because cartels find them easier to construct and operate than fully submersible vessels, they can transport a cargo of up to 10 Tons.

A few submersibles have been found over the years, and they're impressive.

The largest was a 100-foot long, GPS-equipped craft that could dive to 30 feet and transport upwards of 200 tons of drugs at a time, according to Colombian authorities.



Narco torpedoes are the least technologically advanced submersible. These empty canisters are designed to be dragged behind a camouflaged ship. In the event of detection, the tow-ship can drop the torpedo which then activates a homing signal for later pick-up. 


48 comments:

  1. all while the other 3 subs puttered on by

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  2. so the border patrol also works overseas, far from the border, off the coast of a country not even close to the border of the U.S.

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    1. Yes because they r not able to do their job on the Mx US border all catch and release

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  3. Ouch!! Thats crazy weight! I wonder if it was bazooka waste to let the tube with the quality white girl to pass??

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  4. Chapo's already back to work, gonna be pissed over 8 tons though.....

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  5. They have a whole documentary on these Subs on the Discovery Channel call Drug War. Highly recommanded if you run across program.

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    1. All the videos are pretty old, 3-5 years old. we have posted them here multiple times. But I suppose it gives early background although subs are nothing like that now

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    2. @chivo - so what are they like now then?

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    3. 4:58 now they are mounted on four wheel trailers and apparently disguised on the inside like an empty church, others look like an asphalt school yard, and the cocktail mixer with propeller, you seem to need glasses...
      Pure German submarine design, not needed, what is needed is barry seal, back...

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    4. Chivis! I am 60 years old, if 3-5 is pretty old, what's hope is there for us third generationistas?
      VIEJO LOS CERROS, El Chapo is 60...

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  6. Space X to handle the Rockets

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  7. Thank you. Fascinated by these subs. Any idea which cartel lost this load? Great job.

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  8. Americans and Mexicans both have many many people who are hard workers. But both sides of the border have lazy cowards who take it all away.

    In Mexico it's the narcos and politicos, both keeping the old casta system alive and well, squandering and partying Mexico's future away like a chakalosa at her quinceniera.

    America's version of the narco and the crooked politician is no less corrupt, just more 'politically correct'.

    In Mexico if/when the good guys fight back, they are executed out in the open, for an example to silence anyone else who wants to go against the devil.

    In America you can talk and complain all you want as long as everyone ignores you, but if you start making too much sense and too many people start listening and responding to what you are saying, then the devil's mouthpiece, the mainstream media, will take your words and twist them all around and someone famous attacks you via social media, and so now that means you are 'destroyed'.

    And after all is said and done, America.com and Narco.mx, roll along without so much as a bump.

    Interesting how on both sides of the border they don't want the real truth getting out about how us underpaid hard working Anglos and Mexicans, who do all the dirty jobs to keep both countries running, actually work together every day and get along.

    That's not a message the divisive politicians, lazy-loafers, narcos, or prison-mentality gang-banger-city-dwellers want getting out.

    Racism and all these other kinds of problems are almost nonexistent among hardworking Anglo and Mexican campesinos, farmers, and ranchers in rural America and Mexico.

    It's when you go to the overcrowded cities where you'll find all the people who like to sit around all day looking for any way possible to avoid an honest day's work, and that is why they're mentally ill.

    Hard worker don't have time or energy to get into trouble, waste money, hate others (Anglos against Mexican OR Mexican against Anglo).

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    1. I love your comment, how does it relate to the article?

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    2. Well put, i am retiref living in Mexico and I still get comments how the border should be open They dont want to talk about their closed border with Guatamala.

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    3. If only people could think,all they know is hate even though we are all the same, HUMANS

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    4. Where did all this come from? Has nothing to do with the post. Lazy people? Did it ever occur to you that people probably are just exhausted of working for nothing. US for example \: Cost of living has far passed minimum wage. Employers want to pay next to nothing, skip benefits by cutting back hours and jeep minimum wage at 7. I am 45. When I was 15 I had a job making 3.35 in 1985. 30 years later minimum wage has only gone up 3.90. Clueless folks like you would be the reason everything appears fine in US government. How dare you call these underpaid individuals lazy. Get a clue!

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    5. Mexicans and Anglos are all great people, now thats the ones that r working and staying clean of drugs

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    6. Yes I worked 80 hours a week for $300 dollars a week last year. Yes I was replaced by central American for less wages. That's why wages low plenty of bodies no work, by the way I am working 40hours week for $240 week "cash" But I could replaced by somebody else cheater, the US Government does not enforce the I 9. Employers will continue to abuse worker on the border.

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    7. @ 6:28 PM - While you are right that my comment wasn't directly about narco-subs, you 'rebuff' was pure argumentum ad 'Straw Man'.

      You think you're the only 40-something who has worked for chump change? Actually I've done very hard work jobs for much less than your '$3.35', but so what?

      Anyone from the valley of south Texas knows that you can still do landscaping and wash cars for less than $3 an hour. So for your information: I AM, "These Underpaid Individuals", and just who the hell are you?

      When faced with an opportunity to work, those of us who have had NOTHING too many times to count will jump at the job, and this is why we still find work even during an economic crisis.

      But of course there are also this kind of guys who will say, "No Way Maaann! I'm not working for so few money, when I can sit on my nalgas and get a lazy-bum check!"

      You see, I guess it's all a matter of whether you have truly been through the real crisis or not. If you have gone without anything for too many times, then ANY something is always better than STILL having nothing.

      When you don't have a safety net, then you realize that only a mentally ill person, or some big baby, will suck their thumb when faced with a decision to work for his freedom or not, but when all you have to do is keep sucking Tio Sam's verga for your lazy-bum check... no wonder you are mentally ill.

      Because then all the mocos is filling up your brains.

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    8. @ 12:15 now that is how one rebuffs a bullshit response. Well said, well said. Hahaha...

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    9. In a way i'm reminded of the right to work laws in the US...
      --in the sense that you and anybody can work for less, and less and less, you have the "constitutional right" under the law in the US...

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  9. That bitch chapo is going to have to rob someone now.

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    1. thats nothimg to el chapo he let that one get caught while 3 made it thru dumb ass...ja ja u think a load like that hurts him when he got the world he b supplying ja ja

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  10. 2 PENGUIN BRICKS = USAGA COLUMBIA LOAD.

    DZ

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  11. Los USUGA lost that load. the 2 penguin's keys.

    DZ

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    Replies
    1. What and /or who is Usuga?

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    2. Los urabeños sr dan kass

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    3. Let's just say Dominican baseball players are not the ones engineering them!

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  12. 16 million wholesale is not a lot for them,it's a write off to the accountant.

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  13. International law is respected and enforced by US authorities if to their advantage.
    International law is shit on by US authorities if not to their advantage.

    The biggest mafia cartel in the world: the US government!

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    Replies
    1. I agree, but it is still the best and save place to live in the world

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    2. That's right MoFo...Merica!! The most benign superpower in world history. Other powers throughout history have used their strength to destroy and oppress. The U.S. provides stability in the world. Not always perfect but blood shed in foreign lands to provide liberty, not oppression. If this great Superpower wants to violate International waters now and then to protect itself from law violators...tough tortillas Cabrones! Complain and see how fast the foreign aid stops. Deal with it!

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  14. Chapo back in the game .....

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    Replies
    1. With Chapo out we know who has the power in Mexico, and its not Nieto r the Chinito

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  15. Thank God they r not U Boats. During World War 2 we new where the U Boats where. With all the Techically in 2015 Obama cannot catch plastic green submarines.

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  16. I know maybe the US is not perfect, but Thank God I got my family out of Mexico, We have a better life, Good job, schools, food, and save. What else can u ask for.
    Hopefully in 15 years Mexico will get better and we go back to visit.

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    Replies
    1. Good lick with that one. Peace

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  17. Just blow them to bits on sight who gives a fuck, you save money on the logistics of transporting the drugs to be destroyed at least. How much does a missile cost?

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    Replies
    1. Destroyed, be constructive...
      --the US needs all those millions of dollars, it will all be sold in the street and the money used by US Law enforcement to enhance their murdering powers with equipment and impunity...

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    2. Well the dogs on the street know what the US is all about butit would be refreshing to see them murder ppl that deserve it for a change that's all I'm saying.

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    3. If you blow them up then the sharks will become sicarios and will kill families at the beach while high on cocaine.

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    4. If the load is lost, the law enforcement will pay with their ass for it, murdering people is not needed uses they need to be silenced...
      --in this times of enhanced interrogations, there are chemicals that help people confess everything, with a smile, without threats, torture or murder...problem is there will be no place to hide for a lot of hypocrite "crime fighters" from the US...
      --there will be needed 5 US presidents to handle all the presidential pardoning...

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  18. I would think the current mentality would have a USA builder construct the submersible for ten million dollars, the DEA would demand the builder include a spy GPS transmitter for the coast guard to find the submersible easier. If the USA cannot make money six ways from Sunday they lose interest. Like guns and ammo being sold to both sides. Minor possession fines, and attorney fees generate billions of dollars in revenue for the USA. Are you nuts? Don't fuck with success.

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    1. Google Russian sub in Mountains of Colombia, Someone even imported in Russian engineers . They were busted before it was finished. It was a Real U-Boat

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  19. excellent work buy the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard !!! Break out the Glen Miller music CD's :)

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  20. Way to go BB first to report, first with the facts.
    NBC news just got the memo; guess they don't have time to keep up with current news.
    http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/US-Coast-Guard-in-Alameda-Seizes-6-Tons-12000-Pounds-of-Cocaine-Valued-at-181-Million-Largest-Bust-in-History--320897421.html

    ReplyDelete

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