Authorities in Guatemala located and seized 72 kilograms of cocaine hidden in an abandoned truck in the department of Retalhuleu, according to the National Civil Police (PNC) via its official social media. The discovery occurred during an operation in a sugarcane field at the Flamenco farm, located in zone 4 of Retalhuleu, after an anonymous tip alerted authorities to the presence of the suspicious vehicle.
According to the National Civil Police, officers from Station 34 arrived at the site and found a JAC truck with license plate C-575CBJ, which had structural damage. In response, investigators from the General Subdirectorate of Anti-Narcotics Information Analysis (SGAIA), the Specialized Division of Criminal Investigation (DEIC), and prosecutors from the Public Ministry were coordinated to conduct the inspection.
During the search, canine officer Héctor detected possible illicit items hidden in the truck's bed. Upon inspecting compartments with false bottoms, authorities found 72 rectangular packages. Field tests by anti-narcotics specialists confirmed the contents were cocaine. The drug was packaged by the Public Ministry and transported to SGAIA warehouses for safekeeping and analysis, while the truck was impounded and moved to the corresponding lot. Images of the operation, showing the truck and cocaine packages, were published by the PNC on its official social media.
The SGAIA, DEIC, and Public Ministry inspected the vehicle and found 72 rectangular packages in compartments with false bottoms. (PNC of Guatemala)
According to official data compiled by the National Civil Police, during the first half of the year, authorities have increased anti-drug operations in Guatemalan territory. So far in 2026, operations have resulted in the seizure of several drug shipments, both on land routes and along the Pacific coast. To date, cocaine seizures exceed figures from the previous year, reflecting the impact of joint operations between the SGAIA and the Public Ministry.
In maritime routes, the SGAIA and Navy have located various vessels in Guatemalan Pacific waters transporting large quantities of drugs. According to official records, at least five vessels were intercepted in the first months of the year, representing an increase compared to previous years. These actions have been achieved thanks to international coordination with security agencies from neighboring countries and the use of satellite tracking technology.
Authorities have highlighted that the Guatemalan Pacific continues to be one of the main transit routes for cocaine shipments originating from South America, destined for markets in North America and Europe. The operations implemented in coastal areas and border points are part of the national strategy to weaken criminal structures dedicated to drug trafficking.
The Public Ministry packaged the seized cocaine and transported it to SGAIA warehouses, while the truck remained impounded under custody. (PNC of Guatemala)
The National Civil Police has repeatedly emphasized that citizen collaboration through anonymous tips has been fundamental to the success of several recent seizures. In the case of the truck located in Retalhuleu, the population's alert allowed for the rapid intervention of security forces.
Investigations to determine the origin of the drug and those responsible are ongoing. The SGAIA maintains coordination with national and international entities for information exchange and early detection of illicit shipments. The goal is to strengthen territorial control and reduce the incidence of drug trafficking in the country.
The National Civil Police located the JAC truck with license plate C-575CBJ in a sugarcane field at the Flamenco farm, in zone 4 of Retalhuleu. (PNC of Guatemala)
The images released by the National Civil Police show part of the seized drug and the operation conducted, as a sample of the results obtained by security forces in the fight against drug trafficking in Guatemala.
