US Coast Guard Seizes $33 Million Cocaine Shipment In Eastern Pacific, 3 Arrested

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Seneca has intercepted a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, seizing about 4,400 pounds of cocaine and detaining three suspected traffickers. The seized drugs are valued at over $33 million.

The interception took place northwest of Ecuador as part of Operation Pacific Viper, a mission targeting drug trafficking routes used by criminal organisations moving narcotics from South America to the United States.

The operation aims to stop shipments before they reach American shores.

The Coast Guard said the operation involved an airborne use-of-force stop carried out by its Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON), which allowed the Seneca crew to stop the high-speed “go-fast” vessel.

These boats are commonly used by traffickers because of their speed and low radar visibility.

The Seneca, a 270-foot Famous-class medium-endurance cutter homeported in Portsmouth, Virginia, has been actively patrolling the Eastern Pacific.

Medium-endurance cutters help patrol large ocean areas where traffickers try to avoid detection.

Since August, when Operation Pacific Viper began, Coast Guard forces have seized over 100,000 pounds of cocaine, worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

The operation aims to disrupt cartel supply chains at sea.

Experts say that while these seizures help national security, the street availability and price of cocaine in the U.S. have not changed much, because cartels plan for such losses.

Prosecuting foreign nationals caught in international waters can also be complicated.

Still, the Coast Guard considers high-seas interdiction an important way to reduce drug trafficking and weaken organised crime.

Reference: criminalwatch