"U.S. Coast Guard Seizes $181 Million In Cocaine In Massive Bust"

2015-08-11T09:57:03-04:00

From: NPR

The U.S. Coast Guard intercepted a semi-submersible vessel carrying more than 16,000 pounds of cocaine in the Pacific Ocean in the largest bust of such a vessel in the agency's history.

The cocaine seized was worth more than $181 million. The Northern California-based Coast Guard crew also apprehended four suspected smugglers after a Navy aircraft detected the 40-foot, self-propelled vessel traveling approximately 200 miles south of Mexico last month.

A statement by the Coast Guard said there have been 25 known semi-submersible interdictions since 2006. It adds:

"Our success intercepting this drug-laden, self-propelled semi-submersible is a testament to the collaboration of our partner agencies, and demonstrates the importance of our increased presence in the Western Hemisphere," said Vice Adm. Charles W. Ray, commander, Pacific Area. "Every interception of these semi-submersibles disrupts transnational organized crime networks and helps increase security and stability in the Western Hemisphere."

The crew of the cutter Stratton removed 12,000 pounds of cocaine from the drug boat during the July 18 bust. Crew members left 4,000 pounds of the narcotics on board to stabilize the semi-submersible as they attempted to tow it to shore.

That effort proved futile when the vessel sank and 4,000 pounds of cocaine was lost and is unrecoverable, according to the Coast Guard statement.

The Los Angeles Times reports that:

"The smuggling vessels act like low-tech submarines, which are mostly submerged with only a cockpit and an exhaust pipe above the surface. They're extremely difficult to detect and dangerous to operate, Coast Guard officials say."

According to the Coast Guard, the crew of the Stratton has disrupted or intercepted 15 drug smuggling attempts since April, including another semi-submersible carrying more than 5,400 pounds of cocaine.

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/08/07/430330768/u-s-coast-guard-seizes-181-million-in-cocaine-in-massive-bust

U.S. Coast Guard Seizes $181 Million In Cocaine In Massive Bust

A self-propelled, semi-submersible vessel was spotted some 200 miles south of Mexico. It turned out to be carrying more than 16,000 pounds of cocaine.

Response by TSgt David L. made Aug 11 at 2015 10:04 AM

2015-08-11T10:04:09-04:00

Those guys get more advanced all the time. It's only a matter of time until they are buying surplus subs from the Soviets or Chinese.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Aug 11 at 2015 10:07 AM

2015-08-11T10:07:20-04:00

Salute to you Coast Guard! Great job!

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Aug 11 at 2015 10:20 AM

2015-08-11T10:20:20-04:00

Looks like a good vessel to Monitor.

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made Aug 11 at 2015 10:42 AM

2015-08-11T10:42:26-04:00

Now that's some serious shit right there! Chalk one up for the good guys!

Response by SGT Elihue Shepherd made Aug 11 at 2015 12:16 PM

2015-08-11T12:16:35-04:00

Why didn't they just tie the vessel off at both end, instead of trying to stablelize it. Could have unloaded all of the contents that way.......... make you wonder.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2015 1:03 PM

2015-08-11T13:03:32-04:00

It is the American 'COAST-GUARD' that is the one branch of our countries armed services that is likely to be forced to engage in combat. Combat with out notice , with no planning and in a place that is not considered enemy country. And for that reason the men and woman of the COAST-GUARD , in my book. Are the best out there. They are strong and hero like. I see them all the time when i go to work. I LOVE them.

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Aug 11 at 2015 1:43 PM

2015-08-11T13:43:49-04:00

Way to go brothers! I'm an Auxiliarist. Semper Paratus! Keep that poison off the streets.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2015 3:35 PM

2015-08-11T15:35:43-04:00

In a related story, Coast Guard stations along the gulf-coast report 2000% increased productivity...in 2 hour spurts.

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Aug 11 at 2015 4:36 PM

2015-08-11T16:36:10-04:00

WOW! Too bad it wasn't actual money and they could put it towards something good to help someone or towards our budget.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2015 10:57 PM

2015-08-11T22:57:42-04:00

The USCGC STRATTON just seized $1 Billion (street value) of cocaine. Been a long time since I remember us seizing that much at one time. SEMPER PARATUS!!!