Mexico captures submarine loaded with drugs
MEXICO: Mexican troops seized a small submarine smuggling
drugs in the Pacific Ocean on Wednesday, the military said.
A navy plane spotted the craft about 140 miles (225 km) south of the
tourist resort of Huatulco, setting off a three-hour chase, Rear Adm.
Hector Mucharraz told Reuters. The green-colored submarine, carrying
what was believed to be cocaine, was about 32 feet (10 meters) long and
appeared to be a makeshift or modified vessel.
“The submarine traveled almost at the surface of the sea and when it
came up we took advantage,” said Capt. Benjamin Mar, a navy spokesman.
Special forces troops swooped on the submarine from a helicopter and
subdued the crew of four, he said.
The Mexican government is increasingly using the military to fight
drug smugglers who move South American cocaine through Mexico and into
the United States. President Felipe Calderon has sent thousands of
troops to drug trafficking hot spots since he took office in Dec., 2006.
Smugglers have moved drugs in Mexico through tunnels under the U.S.
border and hidden in canned food and dolls, but the navy said this is
the first time it had seen them use a submarine.
Reuters
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