El Salvador’s president Nayib Bukele announced on the social network X that law enforcement officers had seized two tons of cocaine from waters off the Salvadoran coast. The operation involved coordinated patrols and maritime interdiction focused on disrupting trafficking routes along the Pacific. Officials described the seizure as a major victory in a broader push to curb narcotics flows through international waters. The announcement highlighted the growing capability of local authorities to engage in high-stakes interdiction beyond national shores.
Bukele also reported that a vessel carrying three Colombians and drugs valued at fifty million dollars was intercepted about 752 kilometers southwest of Estero de Jaltepeque Bay. The intercept demonstrated the reach of organized crime networks and the persistent risk they pose to regional security and public health. Authorities emphasized that cruise ships and cargo vessels remain common cover for drug transport, underscoring the need for constant surveillance and international cooperation. The episode reinforces El Salvador’s ongoing commitment to dismantling illicit supply chains wherever they operate, including in international lanes of movement at sea.
Bukele noted that in the past eight months, El Salvadoran law enforcement agencies have seized more than fifteen tons of cocaine in international waters, with an estimated street value of about three hundred eighty million dollars. This sustained level of activity reflects intensified patrols, intelligence-led operations, and improved coordination with regional and international partners. Analysts say these figures illustrate the powerful incentives behind narco trafficking and the importance of persistent enforcement to prevent these networks from expanding. The results also signal a broader global trend in which authorities are increasingly leveraging maritime domain awareness to disrupt shipments before they reach consumer markets.
In the Netherlands, police uncovered a garden gnome made entirely of MDMA during a drug search operation in Dongemon County. The unusual ornament, intended as garden decor, was found hidden in a strange place and drew immediate attention from investigators. Testing confirmed that the statue was composed entirely of MDMA, a substance also known as ecstasy. Officers joked that the unusual find warranted a drug check because the figurine appeared visibly anxious, highlighting how investigators approach even oddities with professional curiosity and rigor. The case illustrates how drug enforcement agencies must adapt to unconventional concealments and the wide range of tactics used by trafficking networks in Europe.
A Russian woman identified as Zabava, previously arrested on cocaine charges, testified during the trial that she was the wife of a former Wagner Group fighter. The testimony highlighted ongoing international legal proceedings connected to narcotics operations and the complex networks that sometimes intersect with private security and paramilitary associations. The case underscores how individual actors connected to larger criminal ecosystems can emerge in courtrooms far from the scenes of initial investigations, reinforcing the need for cross-border legal cooperation and thorough fact-finding in high-profile trials.