The crew of the US Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma offloaded approximately six tons of cocaine that were seized in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. The drugs were seized from six suspected smuggling vessels interdicted by crews from Tahoma and two other USCG cutters between late July and August.
The drugs worth more than an estimated $170-million, with Tahoma being responsible for three interdictions, seizing an estimated 3,962 kilograms.
The US Coast Guard Cutter Tampa (WMEC-902) made two interdictions, seizing an estimated 1,855 kilograms., while the US Coast Guard Cutter Seneca (WMEC-906) made one interdiction, seizing an estimated 500 kilograms.
USCG increased US and allied presence in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Basin, which are known drug transit zones off of Central and South America, as part of its Western Hemisphere Strategy. During at-sea interdictions in international waters, a suspect vessel is detected and monitored by allied, military or law enforcement personnel coordinated by Joint Interagency Task Force-South based in Key West, Florida.
The law enforcement phase of counter-smuggling operations in the Eastern Pacific is carried out under the authority of the 11th US Coast Guard District, headquartered in Alameda, California. The interdictions, including the actual boarding, are led and conducted by members of the US Coast Guard.
A number of US agencies from the Departments of Defense, Justice and Homeland Security cooperated in the effort to combat transnational organized crime. The US Coast Guard, Navy, Customs and Border Protection, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement along with allied and international partner agencies play a role in counter-drug operations.
Source:seawanderer
