Coast Guard Interdicts Over $63 Million in Illicit Drugs

The crew aboard the Coast Guard cutter Bear offloaded approximately 7,720 pounds of cocaine and 4,000 pounds of marijuana worth more than $63 million at Port Everglades, Florida, June 26.

The seized contraband was the result of three interdictions in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean.

The crew detected a go-fast vessel June 11, and the embarked Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron aircrew employed airborne use-of-force tactics. The Bear's boarding team interdicted and boarded the vessel, seizing approximately 4,000 pounds of marijuana.

The next day, it detected two go-fast vessels, and the embarked aircrew employed airborne use-of-force tactics to stop both vessels. The Bear's boarding team interdicted and boarded the vessels, seizing approximately 7,660 pounds of cocaine.

The Bear's crew recovered a bale in the Eastern Pacific Ocean containing approximately 60 pounds of cocaine June 13.

"The success of these interdictions reflects the strength of our partnerships and the persistence of our crews," said Coast Guard Cmdr. Jorell Webb, commanding officer of the Bear. "Our success required the integration of thoughtful training, carefully planned logistics and joint coordination. We are very proud of our efforts to prevent illicit networks from threatening our security."

The following assets and crews were involved in the Bear interdiction operations:

• Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron
• Joint Interagency Task Force South
• Coast Guard Southwest District watchstanders

During the operations, the tactical squadron employed an MH-65E Dolphin helicopter featuring its new blackfin design, which recognizes the squadron's most successful fiscal year to date after seizing three times its annual average amount of cocaine.

To protect the homeland from ongoing trafficking of illicit narcotics from South America to the United States, the Coast Guard is accelerating its counter-drug operations in the Eastern Pacific Ocean in support of Operation Pacific Viper.

The majority of interdictions of U.S.-bound drugs occur at sea, underscoring the importance of maritime interdiction in combating the flow of illegal narcotics. U.S. Southern Command's Joint Interagency Task Force South, based in Key West, Florida, detects and monitors aerial and maritime transit of illegal drugs.

Once interdiction becomes imminent, the law enforcement phase of the operation begins, and control shifts to the Coast Guard. Interdictions in the Eastern Pacific Ocean are performed by members of the Coast Guard under the authority and control of the Coast Guard's Southwest District in Alameda, California.