Mexico navy cocaine seizure yesterday off the Michoacán coast yielded 1,200 kg of cocaine in Lázaro Cárdenas port operation, marking another push against Pacific cartels.
On May 23, Mexico’s navy intercepted more than 1,200 kilograms of cocaine in a coordinated maritime operation off the coast of Michoacán, delivering a major blow to cartel smuggling networks along the Pacific corridor.
Mexico’s naval forces detected a suspicious vessel in international waters roughly 70 nautical miles southwest of Lázaro Cárdenas before dawn on Friday. Boarding teams found dozens of waterproof packages—each containing bricks of pure cocaine—stowed below deck. By mid-morning, the navy had safely docked the vessel at Lázaro Cárdenas port and transferred five suspected crew members to federal prosecutors for interrogation and formal charges.
The operation forms part of an intensified campaign launched in late 2024 to choke off sea-based trafficking routes. Since October, navy units have seized almost 40 metric tons of cocaine at sea, disrupting smuggling corridors that cartels rely on to funnel shipments toward the United States. Officials cite improved intelligence sharing with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and upgraded surveillance satellites as key factors in pinpointing suspect vessels.
“Precision led the way,” said Admiral Juan Carlos Rodríguez, commander of the Pacific Naval Region, in a May 24 press briefing. “We tracked this ship for 48 hours, then moved in once we confirmed its cargo. Our goal is to keep pressure on these networks and deny cartels any safe passage.” The seized drugs carried a street value estimated at more than US $100 million.
Naval spokesperson Lieutenant María González added that crew members underwent medical checks and were read their rights before being handed over to the Attorney General’s Office. Investigators will now examine phone records, shipping manifests and satellite data to determine which cartel cell orchestrated the shipment—and whether any corrupt insiders facilitated its journey.
Lázaro Cárdenas, Mexico’s busiest Pacific port, has long drawn cartel attention because its sprawling docks and container yards offer cover for illicit cargo. In recent months, however, heightened patrols and random inspections have forced traffickers to modify routes, pushing more operations into open sea lanes where naval ships can intercept them before they reach shore.
Cartels adapt fast. Analysts warn that cartels will exploit any opening. Dr. Elisa Vargas, a security expert at the Center for Strategic Analysis in Mexico City, notes that land-based seizures have also risen, suggesting traffickers are testing multiple methods. “They’re learning to split loads across vessels, container ships and even fishing boats,” Vargas said. “That makes constant vigilance essential.”
President Claudia Sheinbaum praised the navy’s work in a Twitter post Saturday morning, calling the bust “a testament to our security forces’ dedication.” She highlighted the government’s recent investments in maritime radar systems and anti-corruption units embedded within port authorities.
Still, human rights groups caution that naval operations must respect due process. The National Human Rights Commission issued a statement urging prosecutors to guarantee fair treatment for the detained sailors and to guard against forced confessions during interrogations. Prosecutors say they will allow legal counsel and will follow international standards for evidence handling.
This latest seizure comes amid a broader push to strengthen Mexico’s maritime security. In January, the navy added two offshore patrol vessels equipped with helicopter decks and long-range radars. By year’s end, defense officials aim to double the number of marine infantry units stationed along key smuggling hotspots.
U.S. authorities have welcomed the collaboration. A senior DEA official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Mexican navy teams now share real-time radar feeds and coordinate joint operations under a new bilateral security agreement signed in March. “This level of cooperation makes a real difference,” the official said.
Looking ahead, Admiral Rodríguez said the navy will expand air patrols and step up inspections of small fishing fleets along Guanajuato and Guerrero. “We can’t let a few hundred kilos slip through while we celebrate one bust,” he warned. “Cartels will keep probing our defenses, so we have to stay ahead of their tactics.”
