On May 18, 2025, the Mexican Navy intercepted 45 kilograms of cocaine valued at 14 million pesos between Puerto Aventuras and Playa del Carmen.
PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Quintana Roo — Elements of the Mexican Navy recovered 45 packages of cocaine with an estimated street value of 14 million pesos during a joint maritime and land surveillance patrol between the coasts of Puerto Aventuras and Playa del Carmen on May 18, 2025. Each kilogram was sealed in industrial tape and stamped with the initials “CR7,” underscoring the sophistication of cartel operations in the region. Following the seizure, the packages were placed at the disposal of the Attorney General’s Office (FGR) in Playa del Carmen for further investigation and official weighing.
According to a press release issued by the Secretariat of the Navy (Semar), the operation was carried out during routine maritime and terrestrial surveillance patrols aimed at maintaining the rule of law in the Riviera Maya corridor. The naval contingent deployed an interceptor patrol vessel, a Defender–class boat, a smaller support craft, and Marine Infantry units stationed in both Puerto Aventuras and Playa del Carmen. This multi-pronged approach allowed personnel to monitor suspicious maritime activity and conduct shoreline searches, demonstrating Semar’s commitment to interdicting narcotics shipments before they can reach local and tourist populations.
During the patrol, naval personnel discovered 45 rectangular black-plastic–wrapped packages strategically concealed along a stretch of shoreline spanning approximately 10 kilometers. Each package, commonly referred to as a “brick,” contained roughly one kilogram of high-grade cocaine. The uniform labeling with “CR7” and industrial-strength sealing tape indicated a level of cartel branding and quality control aimed at ensuring product integrity throughout the illicit supply chain. By recovering the shipment before it could be loaded onto vehicles bound for land routes, authorities have severed a major distribution channel for narcotics in the state.
Preliminary valuations place the seized cocaine at approximately 14 million pesos on the black market, representing a significant economic blow to the criminal organizations operating in Quintana Roo. Analysts note that the Riviera Maya and Cancún, with their vibrant nightlife and high tourist footfall, present lucrative retail markets for illicit substances. Local authorities believe the shipment was destined for these areas, where smaller quantities are packaged for street-level distribution to both residents and visitors. By disrupting this load, Semar has dealt cartel networks a substantial financial loss while reinforcing state and federal efforts to curb narcotrafficking.
Given the sizable quantity recovered, officials have ruled out the possibility that this load was intended as a “merma”—a diversionary tactic wherein cartels deliberately discard small amounts of contraband to mislead authorities while their primary shipment is smuggled through alternative points. Instead, the scale and packaging suggest this was a primary shipment. However, the origin of the consignment remains unknown, and investigators are now focused on tracing maritime departure points and identifying vessel trajectories. Interagency collaboration between Semar, the FGR, and local law enforcement will be crucial to uncovering the broader network behind this operation.
Upon recovery, the 45 packages of cocaine were formally turned over to the Attorney General’s Office in Playa del Carmen, where they will be cataloged, officially weighed, and integrated into an ongoing investigation file. The FGR is responsible for determining the exact net weight of the narcotics and pursuing prosecutorial action against any apprehended suspects. While no arrests were immediately announced following the seizure, authorities indicated that forensic examinations of packaging, tape, and other physical evidence may yield intelligence on trafficking routes and cartel affiliations.
This seizure marks the first documented maritime landing of cocaine along the Playa del Carmen coast in 2025. Security forces have intensified patrols since the beginning of the year in response to an uptick in maritime drug shipments detected off the Yucatán Peninsula. By maintaining a visible naval and ground presence, Semar aims to deter future smuggling attempts and reassure both local communities and the tourism industry that public safety remains a top priority.
Drug trafficking via maritime routes has long plagued Quintana Roo, where remote beaches and a vast coastline present concealment opportunities for cartel operatives. Past incidents have involved more rudimentary packaging methods and smaller loads, but recent seizures, including this operation’s professional branding, indicate an evolution toward highly organized maritime smuggling. Experts warn that as law enforcement adapts, criminal networks may seek new landing sites or employ more advanced concealment strategies, prompting continued vigilance and intelligence-driven operations.
In its official statement, Semar emphasized that operations like this are part of a broader strategy to uphold the rule of law and protect national sovereignty. “We reaffirm our commitment to safeguarding the maritime domain and cooperating with prosecutorial authorities to dismantle organized crime networks,” the release noted. The Navy also highlighted interoperability with other security agencies, including the National Guard and the Federal Police, to coordinate intelligence sharing and joint operations across both coastal and inland routes.
While occasional drug seizures can raise concerns among travelers, industry representatives stress that such operations underscore the effectiveness of Mexican security forces. “Tourists should be reassured that authorities are actively combating illicit activities,” said a spokesperson for the Quintana Roo Tourism Board. The region’s tourism infrastructure and community stakeholders continue to work closely with federal entities to monitor and report suspicious maritime activity, ensuring that the Riviera Maya remains a safe destination for millions of visitors annually.
Authorities have indicated that seized materials and vessel tracking data will be shared with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and other international partners as part of a coordinated effort to trace upstream suppliers and transnational cartel connections. By pooling resources and intelligence, Mexican and foreign agencies aim to map trafficking corridors that span the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean, disrupting supply chains before they can reach coastal drop-off points.
Naval commanders have announced that surveillance patrols will continue at an increased tempo, with a focus on high-risk sectors along the coast and near known drop zones. Additional assets, including maritime surveillance aircraft and unmanned aerial systems, are slated for deployment in the coming weeks. The enhancement of technological capabilities, combined with community reporting channels, is expected to further impede maritime smuggling efforts.
As investigations proceed, both Semar and the FGR have pledged to keep the public informed of any significant developments. For now, the seizure of 45 kilograms of cocaine represents a clear message to criminal organizations that maritime trafficking routes off Quintana Roo’s shoreline will remain under constant scrutiny. Continued collaboration between military, federal, and local authorities will be critical to sustaining pressure on drug cartels and preserving the safety and prosperity of the Riviera Maya region.
