Video shows Mexican Navy seizing 7 tons of cocaine in Pacific
- Authorities seized over 7 tons of cocaine over two operations
- Experts say the majority of the drugs were likely headed to the U.S.
- Officials say they only catch a fraction of the drugs that get through
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(NewsNation) — The Mexican Navy seized boatloads of cocaine in the Pacific Ocean as dramatic video captured the high-speed chase that led to the bust.
The video shows authorities seizing over seven tons of what is believed to be cocaine over two separate raids. Both operations were carried out near the coast of Michoacan, an area plagued by cartel violence.
Experts say while some of the cocaine would have stayed in Mexico, the majority of the drugs were likely U.S.-bound.
One clip shows a boat chase involving the Mexican Navy where officers intercepted three speedboats, seizing 126 packages containing 5.6 tons of suspected cocaine — their biggest load seized under the current administration.
Another clip shows naval patrol boats and a helicopter scooping up 32 packages that were floating in the water containing 1.6 tons of suspected cocaine.
The Navy reported that 15 suspects were arrested, and more than 1,000 liters of fuel were also confiscated during the operation.
Drugs are flowing from Mexico to the U.S. every day, with cocaine being one of the most popular drugs to move illegally. Just days ago, nearly $500,000 worth of suspected cocaine was seized from within the floorboards of an SUV trying to enter the U.S. in Del Rio, Texas. The 37-pound load was discovered during a secondary inspection.
Just before the bust in Del Rio, 21 pounds of cocaine were discovered in a pickup truck driven by a 24-year-old U.S. citizen. Homeland Security is investigating as officials continue to make busts along the border.
In Brownsville, Texas, 34 pounds of cocaine were hidden in a vehicle driven by a 38-year-old U.S. citizen who lives in Mexico — holding a street value of more than $460,000. On Saturday, over $3 million worth of cocaine was nabbed in a single enforcement action at the port of entry in Rio Grande City — the 228 pounds of drugs were being hauled in a shipment of charcoal.
Though officials continue to make busts along the border, agents and officers tell NewsNation they are only able to catch a fraction of what is coming in as they are only able to scan 2% of passenger vehicles and 17% of cargo vehicles.
