The Truth Behind Mexico’s Most Infamous Cartel

The cartel has used semi-submersible vessels, often called “narco-subs,” to move cocaine by sea. These homemade submarines are typically built in remote jungle shipyards and can carry several tons of drugs undetected beneath the water’s surface.

Crews navigate them across the Pacific or along Central American coasts, where shipments are transferred to smaller boats for delivery. Using submersibles reduces exposure to radar and aerial surveillance, making them one of the cartel’s most effective tools for long-distance smuggling.