Elements of the Secretariat of the Navy (Semar) secured a vessel with approximately 650 kilograms of alleged cocaine off the coast of Michoacán and detained six people, reported the security cabinet of the Government of Mexico. According to the authorities, this seizure represents an economic impact of approximately 150 million pesos for organized crime. The operation was carried out 61 nautical miles, equivalent to 112.9 kilometers, southwest of the port of Lázaro Cárdenas. At that point, personnel from the Mexican Navy, acting as the Coast Guard and in coordination with the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection and the Attorney General's Office, intercepted a small vessel with three outboard motors. Inside the boat, 14 burlap-type bags with 580 brick-type packages containing a white powder with characteristics similar to cocaine hydrochloride were located. The authorities estimated that the shipment has an approximate weight of 650 kilograms, although the quantity will be confirmed by the corresponding administrative authority. Additionally, 350 liters of fuel were secured on the vessel, the Security Cabinet highlighted in a statement. Likewise, the authorities stated that the six crew members were detained and made available to the competent authorities to determine their legal status. The Security Cabinet indicated that the detainees “were read their legal rights and, along with the seized goods, were made available to the competent authorities.” The operation included one ocean patrol boat, one fixed-wing aircraft, one rotary-wing aircraft, and three interceptor patrol boats. Furthermore, it was supported by intelligence information provided by the United States Northern Command and the Joint Interagency Task Force South. They also announced that with this seizure, the possible distribution of more than 1.3 million doses of drugs was prevented. The security cabinet pointed out that these actions aim to “deter criminal activity” and represent “a significant impact on the financial structure of criminal groups.” Finally, it highlighted that this seizure will be added to the more than 10 tons of drugs seized in maritime events during 2026.
