Suspicions over a small boat traveling offshore near the coast of Oaxaca led to the seizure this week of more than two tonnes of cocaine.

An armed forces aircraft detected the boat 150 nautical miles (278 kilometers) southwest of the tourist destination of Puerto Escondido. Using another aircraft, a helicopter and four vessels the boat was intercepted and its cargo seized.

The eight people aboard — four Mexicans, three Colombians and a Canadian — were taken into custody.

The boat was carrying 2.25 tonnes of the drug in 66 packages.

Another, similar seizure was made three weeks ago when security forces intercepted a small boat off Guerrero. It was carrying nearly two tonnes of cocaine.

Federal forces have seized a record amount of cocaine from smugglers off the Pacific coast this year.

Source: Milenio (sp)