The U.S. Coast Guard’s Operation Pacific Viper has seized more than 150,000 pounds of cocaine since its launch in early August.
Officials said the operation has accelerated counter drug operations in the Eastern Pacific Ocean where Central and South American narcotics traffic flows through. Using cutters, aircraft and tactical teams, the Coast Guard has intercepted, seized and disrupted shipments of cocaine and other bulk illicit drugs, officials said. Operation Pacific Viper works to counter narco-terrorism and disrupt Foreign Terrorist Organizations, Transnational Criminal Organizations and cartels attempting to smuggle cocaine and other drugs into the U.S. The agency said 80 percent of all U.S.-bound narcotics seizures occur at sea.
“Operation Pacific Viper has proven to be a crucial weapon in the fight against foreign drug traffickers and cartels in Latin America and has sent a clear message that we will disrupt, dismantle and destroy their deadly business exploits wherever we find them,” U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said. “In cutting off the flow of these deadly drugs, the Coast Guard is saving countless American lives and delivering on President Trump’s promise to Make America Safe Again and reestablish our maritime dominance.”
On Dec. 2, the Coast Guard Cutter Munro seized more than 2,000 pounds of cocaine in a single interdiction after using disabling fire on a heavily laden go-fast vessel, the agency said. The seizure marked the largest at-sea interdiction since March 2007. In November, the Coast Guard Cutter James executed four seizures in 10 days, netting 19,819 pounds of cocaine.
“This milestone is a testament to the vigilance and tenacity of our crews,” said Adm. Kevin Lunday, the Coast Guard’s acting commandant. “When we say we own the sea, it reflects our relentless pursuit to securing the maritime domain and disrupting the criminal networks that threaten our communities.”