U.S. Coast Guard Seizes More Than 25,000 Pounds of Cocaine in Three Interdictions
More than 25,000 pounds of cocaine was seized in three interdictions in less than a week by the U.S. Coast Guard in the Eastern Pacific Ocean off the coast of Central America.
The interdictions were conducted by the crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Tampa as part of the broader Operation Pacific Viper.
Interdiction Details
The first interdiction occurred September 11, when a go-fast vessel was spotted off Costa Rica, by a maritime patrol aircraft. The Tampa’s cutter boat and helicopter intercepted the vessel.
Upon boarding, Coast Guard personnel seized more than 6,800 pounds of cocaine, embarked three suspected smugglers, and sank the vessel.
On September 15, the Tampa’s helicopter detected a suspected drug-smuggling vessel south of Panama. As the cutter responded, crews spotted a second suspected drug-smuggling vessel. Both vessels were intercepted, resulting in more than 15,000 pounds of cocaine seized and six suspected smugglers embarked.
And on September 16, the Tampa conducted another interdiction south of Panama, where nearly 3,500 pounds of cocaine were seized and four suspected narco-terrorists were embarked.
“Thanks to the hard work of the brave men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard, more than 9 million lethal doses of cocaine will never reach our shores,” said Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.
Operation Pacific Viper
The seizures bring the total amount of cocaine seized during Operation Pacific Viper to more than 260,000 pounds.
The Coast Guard says the operation has accelerated counter-drug operations in the Eastern Pacific, a primary corridor for narcotics smuggling.
“We own the sea, and Operation Pacific Viper is proving that every day,” said Admiral Kevin Lunday, Commandant of the Coast Guard.
