Photo credit: U.S. Coast GuardCALIFORNIA – The U.S. Coast Guard offloaded approximately 27,551 pounds of cocaine, valued at more than $203 million, in San Diego on December 14.
The narcotics were seized during three separate interdictions of suspected drug-smuggling vessels in international waters off the coasts of Mexico, Central America, and South America.
The offload was conducted by the crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Active, which transported more than 27,000 pounds of cocaine to San Diego.
Most of the drugs were seized earlier in December by the crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Munro, working with Coast Guard air assets to disable a suspected “go-fast” vessel carrying over 20,000 pounds of cocaine.
Officials said it was the largest single-vessel cocaine seizure in nearly 20 years.
The interdictions—stopping and seizing suspected drug-smuggling vessels before they reach U.S. shores—were part of Operation Pacific Viper.
This Coast Guard surge effort targeted transnational criminal organizations and maritime drug trafficking routes.
Coast Guard officials said these operations are a critical line of defense.
They help prevent large quantities of cocaine and other illicit drugs, including fentanyl, from reaching U.S. communities, where such drugs contribute to organized crime and public health harms.
12 arrested and facing federal charges
KFMB reported that 12 people were arrested as part of the seizures and are now face federal drug charges.
On average, the Coast Guard seizes 167,000 pounds of cocaine annually.
The amount seized in FY25 is over three times that amount, and equivalent to 193 million potentially lethal doses (1.2 grams each), enough to endanger over half of the U.S. population.
RELATED: Trump Administration creates militarized zone along California border
