Mexican Navy intercepts boat with 3 tons of cocaine off Quintana Roo coast

In a maritime and air surveillance operation that included a Persuader airplane, an MI-17 helicopter, and land units, staff from Mexico’s Navy (SEMAR) seized almost three tons of alleged cocaine and arrested three crew members of a small vessel east of Mahahual, Quintana Roo .

Stemmed from the intelligence works along with the Army, the Mexican marines deployed last night a sea patrolling operation in which they were able to locate a vessel moving at high speed in an unusual way, nearly 136 km east of Mahahual.

According to the SEMAR, the suspicious vessel was reached by the helicopter and through a vertical insertion maneuver, marines performed an inspection in which they detected 74 bags with 40 bricks that contained alleged cocaine with an approximate weight of 2,960 kg.

The agency stressed that such a maneuver requires a high level of training and highlighted the courage and commitment of Mexico’s marines.

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The illegal cargo, the vessel, and its three crew members will be made available to the corresponding authorities to perform the tests to determine the ministerial weight and open the investigation file, as said Mexico’s Navy.

It asserted sea, air, and land surveillance operations its performs are done in order to inhibit criminal actions, ensure security, and maintain the State of Law at Mexican coasts.

The SEMAR asserted the operation was done according to the protocol for Coast Guard Duties by Navy Personnel that mentions the participation of SEMAR’s staff, which complies with the necessary requirements to act in coordination with the corresponding authorities, with strict respect to human rights, and according to what is established by the use of Force Handbook of Common Application for the Three Armed Forces.

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