Coast Guard crews offloaded more than one ton of cocaine worth an estimated $37 million on Wednesday in San Diego, authorities said.
The crew of the Coast Guard cutter Active seized the drugs earlier this month from “known drug-transit zones” in the Pacific Ocean off the coasts of North and Central America, according to Coast Guard officials.
Members of the Coast Guard Cutter Active (WMEC-618) boarding team inspect a suspected smuggling vessel containing more than 2,000 pounds of cocaine in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean in May, 2020. The cocaine was seized and the suspected smugglers were detained. (This photo has been edited for law enforcement purposes. U.S. Coast Guard photo.)
Active, a 210-foot cutter based out of Washington state, operates from the U.S.-Canadian border down to the waters off Central America, according to the Coast Guard.
A suspected smuggling vessel drifts in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean after being intercepted by the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Active (WMEC-618) in May, 2020. More than 2,000 pounds of cocaine, worth approximately $37 million, were seized in the boarding. (This photo has been edited for law enforcement purposes. U.S. Coast Guard photo)
Authorities did not specify where the cocaine that was offloaded Wednesday was seized.
Members of the Coast Guard Cutter Active (WMEC-618) offload more than 2,000 pounds of cocaine seized in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean in May, 2020. The cocaine is worth approximately $37 million. (Coast Guard video by Petty Officer 3rd Class Alex Gray)
“We canceled a port visit, stretched logistics and diverted 500 miles to get on target and do our job,” Cmdr. James O’Mara, Active’s commanding officer, said in a statement. “No captain could ask or expect more from a crew … This patrol, and this interdiction in particular, highlights the resilience and professionalism of Active’s crew.”
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