Navy Secures Three Small Boats With More Than 2.4 Tons Of Cocaine In The Vicinity Of Acapulco

 "Char" for Borderland Beat 

Secretary of the Navy | July 04, 2023 | National

Mexico City, July 4, 2023.- The Ministry of the Navy, through the Mexican Navy acting as Coast Guard, reports that in recent days, personnel of the Twelfth Naval Region, managed to secure 84 packages with an estimated weight of more than 2.4 tons (2, 400 kilograms) of suspected cocaine, approximately 35 nautical miles (65 kilometers) west of Acapulco.

These actions were carried out during maritime surveillance patrols, locating a smaller vessel which was followed for seven hours by ocean-going vessels and interceptor patrols of the Mexican Navy, with the support of naval aircraft, In order to carry out the interception in inspection of said vessel, which upon noticing the presence and tracking of this maritime authority accelerated its march with the intention of fleeing towards the estuary of "Paraiso Escondido", located in the vicinity of the town of "Boca de Mitla".

At the point of interception of the aforementioned vessel, two more vessels were located, presumably destined to receive the illicit cargo, consisting of 84 packages containing a substance with the characteristics of cocaine with an estimated weight of more than 2.4 tons (2,400 kilograms); the three smaller vessels were secured, as well as five outboard motors, and the corresponding ministerial authority was notified.

The presumed drugs and the secured vessels were handed over to the competent authorities for the integration of the corresponding investigation folder.

It is important to mention, that during said seizure no person was arrested; however, the actions of the naval personnel were carried out based on the Protocol of Action of the Naval Personnel in Coast Guard functions, published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on April 06, 2018, where the participation of naval personnel is attributed in the performance of their duties, acting in coordination with air, land and surface units, in accordance with the provisions of the National Law on the Use of Force and in strict respect for Human Rights.

It should be noted that with this seizure, a total of 23,972 (twenty three thousand nine hundred and seventy two) kilograms of cocaine, 31 small boats and 69 outboard motors have been seized so far this year. In the last five days, 6,230 (six thousand two hundred and thirty) kilograms of cocaine have been seized, due to actions such as the following: dismantling of a network of beaconed logistic platforms that organized crime implemented for the movement of cargo at sea, tracking of illicit vessels beyond the Exclusive Economic Zone, training of naval personnel in high-risk actions, and relocation of operational units to strategic areas.

SOURCE: GOBIERNO DE MÉXICO