The United States has dealt a heavy blow to the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), seizing approximately 21 tons of cocaine and marijuana worth an estimated nearly 510 million dollars.
The Coast Guard on Wednesday in Port Everglades, Florida, more than 20,800 kilograms of cocaine and another 1,700 of marijuana, valued at approximately 509.9 million dollars.
Through a statement, the Coast Guard detailed that the seizure occurred after detecting the air and maritime movement of illegal drugs in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, which extends from southern Mexico to northern Peru.
The monumental seizure, announced by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, represents one of the largest maritime interdiction operations in the country's recent history and sends a strong message to the major drug cartels operating in Latin America.
A multinational operation supported by intelligence and cutting-edge technology
The drugs were intercepted during an extensive operation led by the United States Coast Guard, with the support of the FBI and other federal security agencies.
The deployment included military vessels, patrol aircraft, and surveillance drones that worked in coordination to monitor the transit of suspicious vessels in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, a strategic route for drug trafficking that extends from southern Mexico to northern Peru.
In total, the operation spanned a period of six weeks, from January 5 to February 15.
"Thanks to the incredible work of the Coast Guard and the FBI, these drugs will help imprison criminals instead of ruining lives," emphasized Pam Bondi during the press conference held on April 9.
Direct impact on the finances of organized crime
The confiscation has been classified as a "significant blow" to the finances of three of the most dangerous criminal organizations in Latin America: the Sinaloa Cartel, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), and the Gulf Clan.
These groups are marked not only by massive drug trafficking but also by their involvement in high-risk activities such as arms trafficking, money laundering, and human trafficking.
In addition to the seized shipment, 34 suspected drug traffickers were arrested and are facing federal proceedings in U.S. courts.
The seizures have led to formal charges against 11 individuals.
The cartels: Transnational actors with sophisticated operations
The Sinaloa Cartel, regarded as the oldest criminal organization in Mexico, maintains a hierarchical and extensive structure that operates across multiple continents.
Despite the capture of its historic leader Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, the organization has maintained its operational capability and continues to be a dominant player in the trafficking of cocaine and methamphetamines to the U.S. and Europe.
For its part, the CJNG, founded in the early 2010s, has established itself as the fastest-growing cartel, known for its use of paramilitary tactics, high-powered weaponry, and a modern logistical network.
Led by Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias "El Mencho," the CJNG has displaced rivals in several Mexican states and has expanded its influence in Central and South America.
Both organizations have been classified by the Donald Trump administration as "foreign terrorist organizations", allowing the U.S. government to expand the use of legal and military tools against them.
"This government has labeled them as foreign terrorist organizations because that's what they are," stated Kash Patel, director of the FBI, who accompanied Bondi at Port Everglades.
Maritime interdiction: a key strategy in the war against drugs
U.S. authorities have reiterated that the Eastern Pacific is one of the most used routes for cocaine trafficking from producing countries—Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia—toward Central America, Mexico, and, ultimately, the United States.
Criminal organizations use speedboats, semi-submersibles, and increasingly sophisticated routes to evade detection.
“The Coast Guard will continue operations to intercept and seize transnational shipments of cocaine, marijuana, and other illegal drugs by sea,” states an official communiqué, also highlighting the growing threat these corridors pose for the introduction of illegal fentanyl.
The Trump administration's drug policy: tough stance and public visibility
Pam Bondi's presence in front of a military ship and tons of seized drugs is also part of a political strategy.
The Donald Trump administration has emphasized the fight against drug trafficking as an essential part of its national security and border control policy.
This includes increased funding for security forces, judicial reforms, and diplomatic pressure on countries deemed as transit or production points for narcotics.
In his statement, Bondi reaffirmed that the government's priorities include "dismantling the sophisticated networks of drug cartels" and "pursuing traffickers who contribute to the addiction crisis in the United States."
Frequently Asked Questions about Drug Seizures and the Fight Against Drug Trafficking in the U.S.
How much value in drugs did the U.S. seize in the recent operation against the Mexican cartels?
The United States seized drugs worth an estimated nearly 510 million dollars in an operation against the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). This seizure included approximately 21 tons of cocaine and marijuana, marking one of the largest blows to drug trafficking in the recent history of the country.
What impact does the seizure of drugs have on the finances of organized crime?
The seizure represents a significant blow to the finances of drug cartels, directly affecting their criminal operations. Cartels like Sinaloa and CJNG not only rely on drug trafficking but also on other illicit activities such as arms trafficking and money laundering, which are impacted by these confiscations.
How was the maritime interdiction operation in the Eastern Pacific carried out?
The operation was led by the United States Coast Guard with the support of federal agencies such as the FBI. They used military vessels, patrol aircraft, and drones to monitor and detect the movement of suspicious boats, successfully intercepting the drug shipment on one of the routes most commonly used by traffickers.
What authorities were involved in the operation and what was their strategy?
The operation involved the participation of the U.S. Coast Guard, the FBI, and other federal agencies. The strategy focused on the use of intelligence and advanced technology to detect and intercept drug trafficking in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. This joint effort highlights the importance of multinational cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking.
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