El Salvador Seizes 180-Foot Drug Vessel, Bukele Mocks Traffickers

Historic Drug Seizure

• 🚨 El Salvador's National Navy executed the largest drug seizure in the country's history, intercepting a significant narcotics shipment.
• 💰 The operation resulted in the confiscation of 6.6 tons of cocaine, with an estimated value between $165 million and $200 million.
• 🗺️ The interception took place 380 nautical miles (703.7 km) southwest of El Salvador's coast, in international waters.

The Seized Vessel and Crew

• 🚢 Authorities seized a 180-foot (54m) multi-purpose support vessel, the Supply Basel TUC, registered under a Tanzanian flag.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Navy divers were deployed to locate the drugs, which were cleverly hidden in ballast tanks within the vessel.
• 👥 Ten drug traffickers were apprehended during the operation, including individuals from Colombia, Nicaragua, Panama, and Ecuador.
• ⚓ The vessel was attempting to transport the illicit cargo to the United States, disguised as a fishing boat.

El Salvador's Strategic Acquisition

• 🤝 The success of the operation was partly due to intelligence provided by the United States to Central American nations.
• 😂 President Nayib Bukele announced El Salvador's "free" acquisition of the vessel, mocking the drug traffickers for their loss.
• 🚀 The newly acquired ship is slated for integration into the Salvadoran Navy, potentially for military interventions or aid missions.
• 🛡️ Ambassador Milena Mayorga highlighted the seizure as evidence of El Salvador acting as the "wall of the Pacific" against drug trafficking.

Combating Youth Gang Affiliation

• 🚨 Separately, the Salvadoran Armed Forces apprehended two minors suspected of being involved with the MS-13 gang.
• 📱 Evidence found on their mobile phones, including images and videos, linked them directly to the criminal structure.
• ⚠️ The Minister of Defense, Ren Francisco Mirroy, reported the arrests, emphasizing the government's commitment to combating gang activity regardless of age.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The speaker critically noted the apparent lack of parental supervision, suggesting it contributed to the minors' involvement in illicit activities.