The Mexican Navy last week intercepted a vessel in the Pacific Ocean found to be transporting cocaine, resulting in the arrest of six men and the confiscation of nearly two tonnes of the white powder.

During a routine maritime surveillance operation on Friday, Navy personnel spotted a speedboat with three outboard motors about 850 kilometers south of Acapulco. Initial reports suggested a little more than 1 tonne of cocaine was confiscated, but after arriving at port on Sunday, officials realized there were significantly more drugs on the boat.

“These actions combat drug trafficking, weaken the logistical capabilities of organized crime and strengthen Mexico’s security,” Admiral Raymundo Pedro Morales said on Sunday.

The specially designed speedboat was also carrying 2,450 liters of fuel in 49 drums, three satellite communication devices and two emergency beacons. The configuration of the vessel would have allowed it to cover large distances on the open sea without needing to refuel in port.

The satellite communication equipment and the radio beacons found on board suggest an operation being coordinated from land or from another vessel.

The confiscated materials were placed at the disposal of the Federal Attorney General’s Office, which will conduct the corresponding investigations and determine the legal status of the detained persons, all believed to be Ecuadorian nationals. 

The interdiction earned the recognition of U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson, who commended the Navy for the bust in a Monday social media post.

We weaken cartels by striking at the operations that sustain them. The seizure of more than a ton of cocaine and 2,450 liters of fuel by @SEMAR_mx directly disrupts their drug trafficking and logistical capabilities. These decisive actions by the Government of Mexico help… https://t.co/UEKQ6pz7KS

— Embajador Ronald Johnson (@USAmbMex) August 10, 2026

Media reports indicate that this type of speedboat, with multiple engines and fuel reserves, appears to be gaining in popularity among cartels which have begun using smaller boats with foreign crew members.

On July 21, a speedboat was intercepted 150 nautical miles southwest of Puerto Chiapas with 1.5 tonnes of cocaine; its five crew members were identified as two Ecuadorians and three Guatemalans. 

Admiral Morales has said that most of the drugs being shipped by sea to Mexico are concentrated in the South Pacific as well as the Revillagigedo Islands archipelago off the coasts of Colima and Jalisco.

Since President Claudia Sheinbaum took office in October 2024, the Navy has seized more than 80 tonnes of cocaine at sea. 

With reports from El Universal, LopezDoriga.com and Infobae