**Excerpt:** The Coast Guard has reported significant cocaine seizures in the Eastern Pacific as part of Operation Pacific Viper, including a record-breaking bust.
**Key Points:**
– The Coast Guard seized more than 150,000 pounds of cocaine since August during Operation Pacific Viper.
– A recent operation involved disabling a drug boat, resulting in the seizure of over 20,000 pounds of cocaine.
– The total value of drugs seized during the operation is estimated at over $1.1 billion.
– The Coast Guard utilized cutters, aircraft, and tactical teams to enhance interdiction efforts.
– The U.S. government continues to combat drug trafficking from Central and South America.
Overview of Operation Pacific Viper
The U.S. Coast Guard announced on Tuesday that it has seized over 150,000 pounds of cocaine in the Eastern Pacific Ocean since the launch of Operation Pacific Viper in August. This operation has seen multiple interdictions of alleged drug boats, including a notable bust earlier this month.
Significant Drug Bust
In a recent incident, a heavily laden go-fast vessel was intercepted using “disabling fire.” The Coast Guard Cutter Munro’s crew seized over 20,000 pounds of cocaine from the vessel, marking the largest at-sea interdiction by the Coast Guard since March 2007. Video footage released by the Coast Guard shows the helicopter crew firing shots at the alleged drug boat.
Expansion of Resources
Throughout Operation Pacific Viper, the Coast Guard has deployed additional resources, such as cutters, aircraft, and tactical teams, to bolster its efforts in the Eastern Pacific. According to the Coast Guard, approximately 80% of narcotics bound for the U.S. are intercepted at sea.
Additional Seizures
In mid-November, another Coast Guard cutter, named James, seized over 19,800 pounds of cocaine across four separate operations. Additionally, over 49,000 pounds of illicit drugs, valued at around $362 million, were offloaded in Florida during the same month. The cumulative value of the drugs seized in Operation Pacific Viper exceeds $1.1 billion.
Strategic Approach
The interdiction efforts are coordinated through the U.S. Southern Command’s Joint Interagency Task Force-South, based in Key West, Florida. This task force is responsible for detecting and monitoring illegal drug trafficking both by air and sea. Once a vessel is identified for interception, the Coast Guard assumes control of the operation.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem emphasized the operation’s importance in disrupting drug trafficking networks in Latin America, stating that it has a significant impact on saving American lives.
Ongoing Challenges
The U.S. government has a long-standing commitment to combat drug trafficking from Central and South America. Controversially, the Trump administration had authorized lethal strikes against drug vessels, resulting in fatalities and raising legal and ethical questions regarding such actions.
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