The United States Coast Guard (USCG) announced on March 13th that they had seized around 17,600 pounds of cocaine from a drug smuggling vessel, an amount sufficient to produce over 6 million doses of deadly drugs. This interception took place in the Eastern Pacific with the cooperation of the crew of the USCG Cutter Forward and the Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON).
According to the post, after arresting four crew members, the drug smuggling self-propelled semi-submersible (SPSS) vessel sank. The USCG stated that the interception was carried out as part of their ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking in the region. The crew of the Cutter Forward, accompanied by a pursuit boat and an MH-65 helicopter from HITRON, intercepted the vessel after it was initially spotted by the maritime patrol.
Commander Andrew Grantham of the Cutter Forward stated, “The successful interception of this vessel showcases the exceptional skills and dedication of the Cutter Forward crew, HITRON, the Southern Joint Interagency Task Force, and the USCG Southwest District in combating transnational criminal organizations.”
The interception was part of Operation Pacific Viper, where the US military deployed personnel to the Eastern Pacific to target criminal and drug trafficking organizations, aiming to intercept the drugs and human trafficking before reaching the US mainland.
In a previous statement by the US Department of Homeland Security in August 2025, then Secretary Kristi Noem highlighted the importance of the USCG in preventing illegal drugs from entering the United States. In another recent incident on March 11th, the USCG Cutter Tampa intercepted a vessel in the Eastern Pacific during Operation Pacific Viper, seizing 1,925 kilograms of cocaine valued at approximately $31.9 million.
Since the launch of Operation Pacific Viper in early August, the USCG stated that they have confiscated over 200,000 pounds of cocaine. Due to the ongoing illegal drug smuggling from South and Central America, the USCG remains focused on combating drug trafficking terrorism and protecting national security.
Additionally, the US has conducted military strikes against several suspected drug trafficking vessels. The most recent strike took place on March 8th in the Eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of 6 individuals involved in drug trafficking. This operation falls under Operation Southern Spear, initiated in September 2025. In mid-February, a spokesperson from the US Southern Command informed Epoch Times that Operation Southern Spear had targeted 42 drug trafficking vessels, resulting in the deaths of 144 individuals involved.