Two major cocaine seizures in Mexico this month, including a rare haul in the central state of Tlaxcala, may indicate cartels are moving larger quantities of drugs closer to Mexico City to meet increased demand during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, analysts say.
Mexican security forces said they seized more than three metric tonnes of cocaine on 22 June in separate operations in Guerrero and Tlaxcala, an inland state not typically associated with major trafficking routes.
Security experts told Reuters the scale and location of the Tlaxcala seizure suggest the drugs may have been stockpiled to meet demand linked to the World Cup, which is being co-hosted by Mexico.
Andrés Sumano of El Colegio de la Frontera Norte said criminal groups often increase their inventories ahead of major international events.
“The increase in demand expected for the World Cup in Mexico City may have led criminal groups to increase their supply in warehouses near Mexico City,” Sumano said.
Three drug dealers in Mexico City also told Reuters they had seen higher demand during the tournament, with Mexico expecting around 5.5 million visitors.
One dealer described the World Cup as “a good opportunity” to boost sales.
Mexican authorities have not officially linked the seizures to the tournament.
Tlaxcala government spokesperson Antonio Martínez said the seizure did not prove the state had become a trafficking hub or that it was connected to international events.
Still, researcher Vicente Sánchez said the unusual size of the seizure in Tlaxcala made a World Cup-related surge in demand a plausible explanation.
The World Cup, being held across Mexico, the U.S. and Canada, has drawn millions of fans to North America, boosting businesses across multiple sectors. Analysts warn that illicit markets may also have benefited.
Southeast Asian foreign ministers called for restraint on Tuesday as renewed conflict in the Middle East overshadowed regional talks in Manila, warnin...
Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said it had struck U.S.-linked military sites in Kuwait and Bahrain, claiming damage to air defences and radar sys...
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has completed its latest review of Ukraine's financing programme, clearing the way for the immediate release of ...
Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said it had struck U.S.-linked military sites in Kuwait and Bahrain, claiming damage to air defences and radar systems, as U.S. forces carried out a 10th consecutive night of strikes on Iran. The IRGC also said two oil tankers caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has completed its latest review of Ukraine's financing programme, clearing the way for the immediate release of around $690 million in additional support. The latest disbursement brings total funding under the programme to about $2.2 billion.
Türkiye has taken a new technical step to facilitate direct trade with Armenia as part of the ongoing normalisation process between the two countries.
Defence companies are accelerating efforts to develop a new generation of high-speed interceptor drones as Russia increasingly deploys jet-powered versions of its Shahed attack drones, posing a growing challenge to Ukraine's air defences.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 20th July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
At least six people were killed and 21 others injured after two earthquakes struck Peru's central Junín region, destroying dozens of homes and triggering a major emergency response.
Kylian Mbappé has become the first player to win the FIFA World Cup Golden Boot on more than one occasion. The French forward won the award presented to the top goalscorer of the tournament for the second time, despite France being knocked out in the semi-finals.
The United States launched fresh strikes against Iran after two U.S. service members were killed in Jordan. U.S. President Donald Trump paid tribute to the fallen troops as Iran warned of further escalation.
Overnight U.S. strikes caused blackouts in southwestern Iran and hit the northwestern city of Tabriz for the first time. Separately, a U.S. soldier died in northern Iraq during a controlled detonation of an unexploded Iranian drone.
Kylian Mbappé has become the first player to win the FIFA World Cup Golden Boot on more than one occasion. The French forward won the award presented to the top goalscorer of the tournament for the second time, despite France being knocked out in the semi-finals.
Spain are world champions for the second time after Ferran Torres' extra-time winner secured a 1-0 victory over Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final at New York New Jersey Stadium.
France star Kylian Mbappé became the leading goalscorer in men’s World Cup history after scoring twice in his side’s 6-4 defeat by England in the third-place play-off.
Lionel Messi's Argentina face Spain in World Cup final with history on the line. Spain and Argentina meet on Sunday in the 2026 World Cup final, bringing together the reigning champions of Europe and South America.
France coach Didier Deschamps took responsibility for his team's "unacceptable" first-half collapse in a 6-4 defeat to England on Saturday, bringing his 14-year reign as France coach to an end.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment