A semi-submersible vessel being used for the transport of suspected illegal narcotics has been seized in the Pacific Ocean, authorities in Mexico said late last week.
The Mexican Navy conducted the interception and seizure of the so-called "narco-sub," which was operated by three individuals and carrying 180 bales of suspected cocaine totalling approximately 3.5 tons.
Mexican Navy officials said the recent interception took place off the southern Mexican state of Guerrero as part of a routine maritime patrol being conducted by an unidentified navy vessel.
The navy said in a statement that nearly 45 tons of cocaine have been seized in the waters off Mexico since October last year, when the country's incumbent President Claudia Sheinbaum assumed office.
Officials said that October also saw the largest single seizure of drugs in Mexico's waters when more than 8.3 tons of narcotics of an unspecified type were confiscated from vessels that had been interdicted in the Pacific.