El Salvador intercepts 6.68 tons of cocaine, calls it biggest drug bust in history

El Salvador's Navy has seized 6.68 tons of cocaine from two boats, marking what President Nayib Bukele described as the most significant blow to drug trafficking in the nation's history. The operation, which occurred on Thursday, resulted in the capture of six foreign nationals – two Colombians and two Ecuadorians found on the first boat, and another two of the same nationalities on the second.

The first vessel, intercepted at Bocana El Cordoncillo in Estero de Jaltepeque, carried 3.425 tons of cocaine. Six hours later, a second boat was found in the same operational area with 3.255 tons. The total haul is valued at $167 million.

Bukele highlighted that this seizure surpasses the previous national record of 6.606 tons confiscated in a single operation on February 13, 2026. With this latest bust, El Salvador has confiscated over 13.286 tons of cocaine in 2026 alone, valued at more than $332.15 million. The president asserted that authorities continue to wage war against international drug trafficking in areas previously marked by impunity.

Official figures indicate that in 2025, El Salvador seized over 25 tons of drugs, primarily cocaine, worth more than $618.7 million. In 2024, more than 17.2 tons valued at $422.7 million were confiscated. The Navy's recent success underscores the ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking within the country.

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Our National Navy has dealt the most forceful blow to drug trafficking in the history of El Salvador.