Coast Guard’s $63M Drug Haul Includes 7,700 Pounds of Cocaine, 4K Pounds of Marijuana

A 270-foot medium endurance cutter offloaded approximately 7,720 pounds of cocaine and 4,000 pounds of marijuana Friday at Port Everglades in Florida, amounting to more than $63 million in allegedly smuggled drugs.

The service said Friday that the seized contraband resulted from three interdictions in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean made by Coast Guard Cutter Bear, home-ported in Portsmouth, Va. They reflect a continuation of the service’s efforts to counter drug operations in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, as part of Operation Pacific Viper.

As roughly 80% of drug interdictions occur at sea, the Coast Guard works with entities like the Key West, Fla.-based U.S. Southern Command’s Joint Interagency Task Force-South to conduct the detection and monitoring of aerial and maritime transit of illegal drugs. Along with USCG Cutter Bear and the Key West-based joint force, other involved assets and crews included the Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron and Coast Guard Southwest District watchstanders.

The three interdictions occurred in mid-June and led to the following busts:

• June 11 – Bear’s crew detected a go-fast vessel and the embarked Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron aircrew employed airborne use-of-force tactics. Bear’s boarding team reportedly interdicted and boarded the vessel, seizing approximately 4,000 pounds of marijuana.
• June 12 – Bear’s crew detected two go-fast vessels, and the embarked HITRON aircrew employed airborne use-of-force tactics to stop both vessels. The interdiction led to the seizure of approximately 7,660 pounds of cocaine.
• June 13 – Bear’s crew recovered a bale in the Eastern Pacific Ocean containing approximately 60 pounds of cocaine.

“The success of these interdictions reflects the strength of our partnerships and the persistence of our crews,” Cmdr. Jorell Webb, commanding officer of Coast Guard Cutter Bear, said in a statement. “Our success required the integration of thoughtful training, carefully planned logistics, and joint coordination. We are very proud of our efforts to prevent illicit networks from threatening our security.”

Officials said that HITRON employed an MH-65E Dolphin helicopter during the drug interdictions. The helicopter, which featured its new Blackfin design, is recognition of the squadron’s most successful fiscal year to date after seizing three times its annual average amount of cocaine. The design reflects the precision airborne use-of-force tactics and sustained offshore interdiction operations that define HITRON’s mission while highlighting the squadron’s specialized training and capabilities, USCG said.

After interdictions occur, law enforcement enters the picture and operational control shifts to the Coast Guard throughout the interdiction and apprehension. Interdictions in the Eastern Pacific Ocean are performed by members of the U.S. Coast Guard under the authority and control of the Coast Guard’s Southwest District, headquartered in Alameda, Calif.