US Coast Guard seizes over 50 tons of cocaine in Pacific in just WEEKS
The US Coast Guard seized more than 100,000 pounds of cocaine since launching their drug crackdown operation in early August, according to a press release.
USCG has intercepted over 1600 pounds of cocaine daily since the takeoff of their massive drug bust mission dubbed Operation Pacific Viper.
A total of 86 people were arrested on suspect of narco-trafficking as a result of 34 drug busts.
Deputy Commander Rear Adm. Jeffrey Novak called the drug seizure a 'remarkable achievement' in 'such a short timeframe.'
'When we say the Coast Guard is accelerating counter-narcotics operations, we mean it,' he said in a press release.
'Alongside our partners and allies, our maritime fighting force is scouring drug smuggling routes in the Eastern Pacific and dismantling narco-terrorist networks.'
He added the Coast Guard is already looking toward their next milestone in their anti-drug operation.
USCG intercepting a vessel in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, they intercepted over 1600 pounds of cocaine daily since the takeoff of their massive drug seizing Operation Pacific Viper
The US Coast Guard seized more than 100,000 pounds of cocaine since launching their drug crackdown operation in early August, calling it a 'remarkable achievement'
The Coast Guard is the lead federal agency for ocean drug interception, and is a joint force with the Department of Homeland Security team
The USCG is speeding up their operation in the Eastern Pacific Ocean as massive amounts of illegal narcotics are transported from Central and South America, according to the press release.
The Guard is working with international partners to seize and disrupt the transport of cocaine and other criminal drugs.
The US Southern Command's Joint Interagency Task Force-South detects and monitors both air and sea transit of illicit drugs.
After detection, the operation shifts to the USCG to carry out the law enforcement actions and arrest the perps.
The Coast Guard is the lead federal agency for ocean drug interception, and is a joint force with the Department of Homeland Security team.
This is one of the many tireless efforts from the Coast Guard to prevent illicit overseas drug transit.
The crew seized approximately 21,126 pounds of cocaine, with an estimated value of more than $156.4 million back in September, according to USCG press release.
The Guard seized drugs from four vessels off the coasts of Mexico, Central America, and South America.
Currently, 80 percent of all narcotics are apprehended at sea, the press release stated.
'This offload represents the hard work and dedication of our crew and the strength of our partnerships in keeping dangerous drugs from reaching our communities,' said Commanding Officer Capt. Brian Whisler.
'Maritime interdiction remains one of the most effective ways to disrupt narcotics trafficking, and together with our partners, we are holding transnational criminal organizations accountable.'
