The Secretary of the Navy (Semar) reported that in the last 5 days, more than 6 tons of cocaine have been seized due to various actions including the dismantling of at least 15 supply platforms that were used by drug traffickers in the Pacific Ocean.
The image presented by the Navy details that one of the platforms was located 212 nautical miles from the Port of Manzanillo, Colima. Near the Port of Lázaro Cardenas, Michoacán, three of these platforms were found, which were 27, 130, and 205 nautical miles away, respectively.
According to the Navy, Guerrero is one of the states where this type of supply platforms have been found the most, as 6 were located and dismantled, all close to the Port of Acapulco. The farthest was located at 470 nautical miles, while the closest was only 79.
In Oaxaca, three of these sites were found where drug traffickers supply their boats with fuel, food and exchange drugs, according to the maritime authority. These platforms are part of the drug trafficking route that begins in South America and goes through Mexico.
Mexican Cartels Further Involved in Cocaine Supply Chain
The Colombian Police Anti-Narcotics Directorate explained that “Colombian and Mexican criminal organizations join forces to generate the shipment of cocaine hydrochloride and weapons, in order to strengthen control of the different drug trafficking routes. The main alliance is the production of narcotics and money laundering”.
The 2023 Global Cocaine Report of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) states that in Colombia, Mexican cartels have a greater presence in the country because they are closer to the center of cocaine production to access wholesale supply.
“These foreign groups do not intend to take control of the territory. Instead, they are trying to make supply lines more efficient. Their presence contributes to encouraging the cultivation of the coca bush and financing all phases of supply”, mentions the document, which also indicates that coca cultivation increased by 35% from 2020 to 2021.
Go fast boat carrying fuel and cocaine.
The National Police of Colombia mentioned that “it is known that the Sinaloa Cartel sends emissaries to the Colombian Caribbean coast where they make contacts with different criminal organizations dedicated to drug trafficking and agree on amounts to be sent through the modality of Go-Fast type speedboats and contaminate cargo destined for the United States and Central America”.
According to SEMAR, actions such as the monitoring of illegal vessels beyond the Exclusive Economic Zone, as well as the dismantling of these sites, and relocation of operational units to strategic areas have allowed, so far in 2023, Almost 60,000 liters of fuel have been seized, 69 engines, 616 drums, more than 119 tons of methamphetamine and 121 people have been arrested.
