The Mexican navy intercepted a massive drug shipment last week, pulling 2 tons of cocaine from waters about 200 miles south-southeast of Acapulco. That's roughly 4,400 pounds of illegal drugs that won't be making it to street dealers. The seizure happened in international waters off Mexico's Pacific coast, where naval forces have been stepping up patrols to combat drug trafficking routes. Cartels often use these shipping lanes to move narcotics north toward the United States. While this bust occurred far from our North Carolina waters, it's part of the ongoing battle against drug smuggling that affects communities all along the Eastern Seaboard. The Coast Guard regularly works with international partners to intercept these shipments before they can reach American shores, including our own coastal areas where smaller boats sometimes attempt to bring drugs ashore under cover of darkness.