Dramatic video shows Mexican navy seizing 7.2 tons of suspected cocaine during high-speed chase in Pacific Ocean

Mexican Navy intercepts over 7 tons of drugs

Video shows Mexican navy seizing more than 7 tons of drugs after high-speed boat chase

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Mexican authorities have seized more than seven tons of suspected cocaine in two separate raids in the Pacific Ocean, according to the Mexican Navy. The high-speed chases on the open sea were captured on dramatic footage.

In the first operation, footage from a Navy-provided Panther helicopter showed a boat chase southwest of the city of Manzanillo. Navy officers aboard a patrol vessel intercepted three speedboats, the Navy said in a Friday news release. Authorities seized 126 packages containing 5.6 tons of suspected cocaine, marking the largest drug bust of the current administration. The Navy said 15 suspects were arrested and more than 1,000 gallons of fuel were seized.

In a second operation, navy patrol boats and a helicopter recovered 32 packages floating in the water, suspected of containing cocaine weighing approximately 1.6 tons. A small speedboat with three outboard motors was also seized. That raid was carried out near the coastal city of Lazaro Cardenas in the State of Michoacana region plagued by cartel violence.

The Navy released several images on social media after the raids, showing dozens of wrapped packages on a patrol boat, alongside officers and a helicopter.

Mexican Navy members carry out seizures during two operations in the Pacific Ocean — Members of the Mexican Navy stand guard next to packages on display after seizing 7.2 tons of drugs. The drugs were intercepted during operations in the Pacific Ocean near Manzanillo, Mexico. This photo is undated and was released on August 23, 2024.

Mexican Navy/Handout via REUTERS

Officials said Monday that an attack that seven community police officers killed The events in Michoacan last weekend were linked to fighting between drug cartels fighting for control of the coastal area, a major entry point for cocaine shipments by sea.

The cocaine seizures in the Pacific come about a year after a semi-submarine – or so-called narco-sub – was found carrying more than 7,000 pounds of suspected cocaine. intercepted off the coast of Mexico after a dramatic high-speed chase. At the time, the Mexican Navy posted a video on Facebook showing an aerial view of the semi-submersible being chased by ships and a helicopter before it was eventually intercepted.

Mexican authorities have seized more than seven tons of suspected cocaine in two separate raids in the Pacific Ocean, according to the Mexican Navy. The high-speed chases on the open sea were captured on dramatic footage.

Reuters video

More than half of the cocaine found worldwide is produced in Colombia.

Stephen Smith

Stephen Smith is a managing editor for CBSNews.com, based in New York. Originally from Washington, D.C., Steve was previously an editorial producer for the Washington Post. He has also worked in Los Angeles, Boston and Tokyo.