Smugglers caught: Suspects dump cocaine during search by Coast Guard

While on patrol, the embarked helicopter crew from the Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON), based in Jacksonville, Florida, aboard the Alert, spotted a "go-fast" vessel heading north and notified the cutter's crew. In response, the crew deployed both of its small-boat pursuit teams. After the vessel failed to comply with a stop command, the HITRON helicopter incapacitated the "go-fast" vessel's engines and kept watch until the pursuit team took control of the boat.

Meanwhile, the second small boat team collected numerous bales of cocaine thrown overboard by the alleged smugglers. Working through the night, the crew meticulously retrieved and tallied all 4,950 kg of cocaine, with an estimated value exceeding $143 million.

According to United States Coast Guard News, "The interdiction is among the Coast Guard’s largest single interdictions in the Eastern Pacific".

"The crew worked in the margins, and we won big in the margins (...) The return on investment from the Coast Guard to the American people continues to be demonstrated by our ability to project capabilities and rule of law within the maritime domain. Day in and day out, the women and men of our service are doing important business, protecting vital international interests from those who wish to subvert order, said Cmdr. Lee Crusius, commanding officer Coast Guard Cutter Alert.

Cocaine trafficking in the United States remains a serious problem. Tons of cocaine are smuggled to the US every year. The drug very often leads to addiction and death.

Source: United States Coast Guard News