The Coast Guard offloaded $92 million more in cocaine this week — the results of four suspected drug smuggling vessel interdictions from July to October.
Coast Guard cutter Alert seized approximately 4,000 pounds of cocaine while cutter Robert Ward seized 1,500 pounds and cutter Seneca seized 1,400. The interdictions were made off the coasts of Mexico, Central, and South America.
While the Coast Guard is primarily responsible for these drug-seizing operations, they involve collaboration between the Coast Guard, Navy, Customs and Border Protection, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration and Immigration, and Customs Enforcement along with allied and international partners.
"I am extremely proud of this crew for doing their part to keep these dangerous drugs off the streets," said Cmdr. Tyson Scofield, Alert’s commanding officer. "The Eastern Pacific Ocean is a challenging environment, especially on a ship that is in her 50th year of service, yet this crew persevered to disrupt the illegal flow of narcotics that fuels instability in Central and South America. The counter-drug mission is as important now as it has ever been, and these brave men and women can return home after a 69-day patrol knowing they made a difference."
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