The United States Coast Guard has launched Operation Pacific Viper, a surge of forces to the Eastern Pacific aimed at interdicting vessels engaged in drug and human smuggling before they reach U.S. shores.
Since the operation began, the Coast Guard has interdicted and boarded multiple vessels, seizing thousands of pounds of narcotics and detaining several suspected smugglers.
“80% of illicit drug seizures occur at sea. The U.S. Coast Guard is surging maritime interdictions in the Eastern Pacific to stop the cartels and criminal organizations—cutting off drugs and human smuggling before it reaches American shores,” said Secretary Kristi Noem. “As part of Operation Pacific Viper, USCGC Stone interdicted 2 vessels — seizing 3,497 kilograms of cocaine and detaining 6 Ecuadorian smugglers. MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN!”
According to the Coast Guard, additional interdictions have taken place across the Eastern Pacific, with more than 13,000 pounds of cocaine seized and 11 suspected smugglers taken into custody to date.
The original announcement can be found here.