"An operation running out of the United States Coast Guard Pacific Area, which is headquartered in Alameda, California, has seized more than 100,000 pounds of cocaine in the Eastern Pacific Ocean since August, officials announced. Operation Pacific Viper has become one of the agency's largest maritime drug busts to date, the U.S. Coast Guard said in a Tuesday news release. The operation involved 34 interdictions, or the interception of vessels, and the apprehension of 86 individuals suspected narco-trafficking."
"According to the Coast Guard, the seizures have averaged more than 1,600 pounds intercepted daily since the operation began in early August. The operation involves the increased deployment of cutters, aircraft and tactical teams to target narcotics routes from Central and South America. Novak said the Coast Guard is using advanced tools and its broad law enforcement powers to block narcotics from reaching U.S. shores, adding that the agency plans on seizing past the 100,000 mark."
Operation Pacific Viper seized more than 100,000 pounds of cocaine in the Eastern Pacific since early August, conducted 34 interdictions and led to 86 apprehensions. Seizures averaged over 1,600 pounds daily during the operation. The campaign increased deployment of cutters, aircraft and tactical teams to interdict narcotics routes from Central and South America. The efforts operate from the Coast Guard Pacific Area and Southwest District in Alameda, in coordination with U.S. Southern Command’s Joint Interagency Task Force–South. The Coast Guard fields over 220 cutters, 185 aircraft and 1,300 boats nationwide. The operation aligns with a more aggressive U.S. maritime drug enforcement posture.
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