Mexico City: In a major crackdown, Mexico’s navy announced on Friday the arrest of 23 individuals in what is being hailed as its largest-ever drug bust. The operation, conducted off Mexico’s southwestern Pacific coast, resulted in the seizure of approximately 8.4 thousand kilograms of illegal substances.
“This represents the largest quantity of drugs seized in a maritime operation, without precedent in the history of the institution,” the navy said in an official statement.
In addition to the drugs, the navy also confiscated 8.7 thousand liters of fuel and six boats during the operation near Lazaro Cardenas in Michoacan state and further south off the coast of Guerrero state.
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“The 23 detainees, who were read their rights, as well as the six boats, the presumed drugs, and the fuel, were handed over to the competent authorities for integration into the corresponding investigation,” the statement added.
The total value of the seized drugs and assets is estimated at over two billion pesos, equivalent to approximately $100 million.
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This record-breaking operation comes amidst increasing pressure from the United States for Mexico to intensify its anti-drug trafficking efforts. At the same time, Mexico continues to call on the U.S. to take stronger action to prevent the smuggling of firearms into Mexico, which has fueled violence by criminal groups.
