Is Cocaine legal in Mexico?
- Legal status
- Controlled substance — personal-use threshold under Art 479 (Ley General de Salud)
- Consequences if caught
- In Mexico, possession at or below the personal-use threshold (Art 479, Ley General de Salud) results in no criminal action — the person is released (with a record) and, on a third report, diverted to treatment. The personal-use threshold is 0.5 g (500 mg) of cocaine. Possession above the threshold is treated as trafficking-related: simple possession carries up to 7.5 years plus a fine (Art 195 bis, Federal Penal Code), and sale/distribution carries harsher penalties. Possession within 300 m of schools, police or correctional facilities is excluded from leniency.
- If prescribed or medical
- Carry a doctor's letter/prescription; check COFEPRIS for controlled medicines.
- Documentation
- Carry a doctor's letter/prescription; check COFEPRIS guidance for controlled substances. Note some OTC medicines legal abroad are prohibited in Mexico (e.g. codeine, pseudoephedrine — Actifed/Sudafed/Vicks inhalers). Keep medicines in original packaging.
- Ley General de Salud, Arts. 477–479 (narcomenudeo)
- Federal Penal Code, Art. 195 bis
- gob.mx
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Mexico’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.
Before you travel
Verify current rules with the destination country’s official drug authority and your own country’s embassy before traveling. Find the destination’s U.S. embassy & official country guidance →
Non-U.S. travelers: check your own government’s travel advisory and embassy.
If you’re detained or arrested abroad
Contact your own country’s embassy or consulate in the destination immediately — not the destination’s authorities. U.S. citizens: contact the nearest U.S. embassy/consulate and the U.S. State Department at +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad). If a U.S. citizen is arrested or detained abroad →