Since launching Operation Pacific Viper in early August, the U.S. Coast Guard seized more than 75,000 pounds of cocaine.
Operation Pacific Viper is the Coast Guard’s counter-drug operation in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, the site of illicit narcotics transported from South America. It is operated in coordination with international and interagency partners.
“The Coast Guard’s maritime fighting force is relentless in our ongoing operations to counter narco-terrorism,” said Rear Adm. Jeffrey Novak, deputy commander Pacific Area. “Our latest milestone through Operation Pacific Viper – over 75,000 pounds of cocaine seized – underscores our commitment to dismantling Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Transnational Criminal Organizations engaged in narco-trafficking. The Coast Guard is bringing every authority and every capability at our disposal to disrupt cartels and criminal organizations, stop the flow of deadly drugs into the U.S., and secure U.S. borders and maritime approaches.”
The drug seizures average more than 1,800 pounds daily. In addition, there were 59 people arrested on suspicion of narco-trafficking and more than 20 were interdicted since Aug. 8.
The Coast Guard is using cutters, aircraft and tactical teams to interdict, seize and disrupt transshipments of cocaine and other bulk illicit drugs.
U.S. Southern Command’s Joint Interagency Task Force-South detects and monitors both aerial and maritime transit of illegal drugs.