On October 24, 2024, Honduran authorities made a significant drug bust in El Triunfo, Choluteca, seizing 180 packages of cocaine hydrochloride valued at approximately $2.8 million. The operation, led by the National Directorate of Border Police Services (DNSPF) and the Special Tactical Operations Group (GOET), followed an intensive surveillance operation in the San Juan area. When authorities pursued a suspicious pickup truck, the driver abandoned the vehicle, fleeing on foot.
Details of the Seizure
After inspecting the abandoned vehicle, officers found rectangular cocaine packages carefully concealed in the rear compartment. This big bust, reveal the significant scale of regional narcotics trafficking. Authorities quickly transferred both the vehicle and the substances to specialized agencies for in-depth analysis, marking this as one of the most substantial recent drug interceptions in the area.
Investigation – Jalisco New Generation Cartel
Authorities have linked this seizure to the operations of the Mexican cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación, one of the most powerful and violent criminal organizations in the region. José Bernabé Acevedo, alias “Berna,” is identified as one of the organization’s key operators in Honduras, particularly in the area of Baracoa, Puerto Cortés, where he operated under a low profile for several years.
Although Berna’s direct connection to the seized shipment has not been confirmed, Honduran police are investigating whether the seizure is part of a larger cartel operation to traffic drugs through Central America. Berna’s name has recently gained notoriety due to his alleged involvement in other drug trafficking activities in the region.
Ongoing Efforts Against Drug Trafficking
The seizure is part of the Honduran border police’s broader campaign to combat drug trafficking and tighten border security, a crucial goal for the country in light of ongoing regional drug movements. Authorities remain vigilant, as Honduras continues to be a strategic point in the transit route for narcotics bound for other parts of Central America and beyond.
This operation emphasizes the country’s determination to secure its borders and support international efforts to disrupt trafficking networks. The Honduran government has committed to further intensifying such operations to safeguard public safety and contribute to regional stability.
