El Salvador security authorities seized between 6.6 [2] and 6.68 [1] tonnes of cocaine in the Pacific Ocean, the largest drug haul in the nation's history.
The operation marks a significant escalation in the government's anti-drug campaign and serves as a high-profile demonstration of the state's resolve against international trafficking networks.
The seizure took place in June [1] off the coast of El Salvador in the Pacific Ocean [2]. President Nayib Bukele said the operation was the largest seizure ever recorded in the country [2].
According to reports, the estimated value of the intercepted narcotics is $165 million [2]. The government said the operation was evidence of regional cooperation and a firm stance against the flow of illegal drugs through Central American waters.
Authorities said the operation aligns with broader security strategies to dismantle the logistics of organized crime. The shipment was intercepted before it could reach its intended destination, preventing a massive quantity of narcotics from entering the domestic market or continuing toward North America.
While the exact weight of the cargo varies slightly between reports, with UPI citing 6.6 tons [2] and El País reporting 6.68 tonnes [1], both sources confirm the historic scale of the event. The administration said the operation was a victory for national security and international law enforcement partnerships.
“The largest drug haul ever recorded in the country.”
This record-breaking seizure underscores El Salvador's strategic shift toward aggressive maritime interdiction. By targeting large-scale shipments in the Pacific, the government aims to disrupt the financial pipelines of transnational criminal organizations while bolstering President Bukele's image as a leader capable of delivering decisive security wins on a global stage.
