This “narco sub,” measuring approximately 85 feet in length, is reportedly the largest of its kind seized by the current government, according to officials.
The Mexican navy announced on Thursday that they intercepted a large semi-submersible vessel suspected of carrying over 7,000 pounds of cocaine in the Pacific Ocean near Mexico’s coast
Five individuals of different nationalities who were on board the vessel were apprehended on Tuesday and transported to La Paz, a coastal city, as stated by officials. After a pursuit involving navy ships and helicopters, officers successfully boarded the semi-submersible and discovered around 186 packages believed to contain cocaine.
A video shared on Facebook by the Mexican Navy showcases the vessel being pursued by ships and a helicopter before its ultimate interception. The Navy attributed the mission’s success to the well-trained naval personnel who boarded the moving illegal vessel carrying cocaine amidst challenging conditions of high winds and waves on the open seas.
This year alone, Mexican authorities have seized approximately 47,000 pounds of cocaine in their waters and have arrested 121 individuals engaged in illicit activities at sea, reported officials. Semi-submersibles are commonly employed by traffickers in Central and South America for cocaine transportation. These vessels operate close to the water’s surface to avoid detection and rarely have the capability to fully submerge.
Colombia, in particular, has witnessed numerous incidents involving narco subs
In the past month, the Colombian navy intercepted a similar vessel attempting to sink over 5,000 pounds of cocaine. Additionally, in May, Colombian authorities seized the largest narco sub ever discovered in the country, containing 3 tons of cocaine.
Back in March, Colombian officials seized another semi-submersible near their coast, which not only carried a significant quantity of cocaine but also two deceased individuals.
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