In seizure 8.3 tons of drugs in the Pacific, a record amount seized in Mexico in an operation at sea and a huge blow to drug cartels, the Mexican Navy said.

According to the official announcement, the value of the confiscated amounts to 2.099 billion pesos (134.5 million euros), but without specifying the type of drugs.

“This is the largest amount of narcotics seized during a maritime operation, it has no precedent,” added the announcement of the Navy.

The seizure was made southwest of the city of Lazaro Cardenas, in the state of Michoacán, on Mexico’s west coast.

During the operation, the Navy arrested six boats – five with outboard engines and one semi-submersible about 15 meters long – as well as 23 people.

For decades, Mexico has been a hub for drug smuggling to North America, an activity that a number of cartels have battled to control.

The state of Michoacán, off the coast of which the seizure took place, is thus the scene of incessant conflicts between criminal gangs, among which the powerful New Generation cartel of Jalisco.

The latest largest drug bust in Mexican history, 23 tons of Colombian cocainehad taken place in November 2007.