Coast Guard seizes 10 tons of cocaine in single operation

On December 6, the Coast Guard Cutter Munro intercepted a vessel carrying more than 10 tons of cocaine in the eastern Pacific, south of Mexico. The boat, featuring an open bow and three powerful outboard engines, represents the largest maritime drug seizure in nearly twenty years, according to CBS News.

The operation began when a sniper from a Coast Guard helicopter disabled the smugglers' engines, allowing the Munro team to board the vessel and secure both its crew and cargo.

This action was part of Operation Pacific Viper, a military campaign targeting narcotics trafficking in international waters. Coast Guard officials stated that the operation has intensified counter-narcotics efforts across the eastern Pacific, achieving historic outcomes in combating narco-terrorism.

Officials emphasized that the Coast Guard's efforts are a frontline defense in preventing deadly drugs from entering American communities.

The quantity of cocaine seized could potentially result in 7.5 million fatal overdoses.

Operation Pacific Viper, launched in August, is a joint initiative of the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard, aimed at countering the influx of illegal drugs and curbing cartel activity targeting U.S. citizens. Earlier phases of the operation saw the Coast Guard seize 100,000 pounds of cocaine in the eastern Pacific during its initial months. By the end of the 2025 fiscal year on September 30, over 500,000 pounds had been confiscated, marking a record annual totalmore than triple the usual yearly seizure of 167,000 pounds.

Author: Logan Reeves