Coast Guard's Big Drug Bust in the Pacific
A Major Crackdown in the Pacific Ocean
The Coast Guard has been actively combating drug trafficking in the Pacific Ocean, seizing over 150,000 pounds of cocaine since August as part of Operation Pacific Viper.
Record-Breaking Drug Bust
One of the largest seizures occurred earlier this month when a drug-laden boat was intercepted. The Coast Guard used a helicopter to disable the vessel before confiscating 20,000 pounds of cocaine—the biggest seizure since 2007.
High-Octane Video Footage
The Coast Guard released a video of the operation, showing:
- The helicopter firing at the suspect boat.
- Arrests of drug traffickers.
- Other drug busts in progress.
The video is set to background music, adding intensity to the footage.
Expanded Operations
The Coast Guard has increased its fleet of ships and planes to combat drug trafficking. Most seizures occur at sea, with notable successes including:
- The USS James seizing 19,800 pounds of cocaine.
- Another vessel offloading 49,000 pounds of drugs worth $362 million.
Billion-Dollar Impact
The total value of seized drugs exceeds $1.1 billion. The operation begins with a Florida-based task force that tracks drug boats. Once identified, the Coast Guard intercepts, arrests, and seizes the contraband.
A Vital Mission
A government official emphasized the operation's importance, stating that it prevents drugs from reaching the U.S., saves lives, and enhances national security.
