Cartel catch: Mexican drug gangs fuel illegal red snapper harvests in Gulf of Mexico

By: Elise Plunk

Outlets: Louisiana Illuminator

Published: March 31, 2026

Words: 1,424

Last Updated: 4 months ago

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The call often comes in the middle of the night to the U.S. Coast Guard station at South Padre Island, Texas, rousing service members from their bunks.

A lancha, typically a slim, 20- to 30-foot boat with an outboard motor, is spotted, overflowing with red snapper, 9 miles off the coast in federal waters.

Best known for its emergency response efforts at sea, the Coast Guard also polices the take of marine species …

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