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Mexican civil protection director part of 2-ton cocaine bust in Guatemala

El Petén, Guatemala — According to Guatemala media, a large drug bust in El Petén resulted in the seizure of more than two tons of cocaine and the arrest of six, one of which is said to be the director of Civil Protection of the municipality of Candelaria in the Mexican state of Campeche.

The massive drug discovery happened Monday. The group was captured after the Guatemalan Army detected the illicit flight of a private jet that landed on a clandestine runway in Laguna del Tigre National Park in the municipality of El Petén.

The Campeche civil protection director was taken into police custody along with several other Mexican and Guatemalan nationals and the Costa Rican pilot. Reports say the group, which were protecting the plane’s cargo, initiated a gun battle with Guatemalan security forces, which resulted in one death and two injuries.

Guatemalan authorities report the on-site seizure of 2.5 tons of cocaine, two pick up trucks, a four-wheeler, a tractor, four portable radios and seven assault rifles with their ammunition.