In August, the U.S. Coast Guard launched Operation “Pacific Viper.” Since then, an average of more than 700 kilograms of cocaine has been seized each day.
The operation is being carried out by the Coast Guard off the west coast of the USA to combat the illegal trade in drugs. Since August 8, a total of 14 seizures have been made and 36 suspected smugglers have been arrested. A total of 40,000 pounds of cocaine (equivalent to approx. 18 tons) have been seized, a quantity of 720 kg per day.
The operation is the Coast Guard’s response to drug smuggling in the Eastern Pacific, where it says “significant quantities” of illegal drugs continue to be transported from South America. In coordination with international and interagency partners, the Coast Guard is deploying additional assets – cutters, aircraft and strike teams – to interdict, seize and disrupt the transshipment of cocaine and other illicit drugs. The long-term goal is to “dismantle transnational criminal organizations and cartels,” according to a statement.
“As the world’s premier maritime counterdrug organization, the U.S. Coast Guard has unique expertise and unmatched capabilities,” said Rear Admiral Douglas Schofield, Deputy Commandant for Operations. “Our maritime forces are stepping up counter-narcotics efforts in the Eastern Pacific. We are using our full spectrum of capabilities to dismantle transnational criminal organizations and cartels and prevent illegal drugs from reaching our communities. The men and women of the Coast Guard will not let up in their efforts to control, secure and defend U.S. borders and maritime approaches – where America’s defense begins.”
Parallel to the success of “Pacific Viper”, successes were also recorded on the East Coast. The cutter “Hamilton” recently unloaded 34.5 tons of illegal drugs in Port Everglades, Florida – including 27.7 tons of cocaine and 6.5 tons of marijuana. This “historic milestone” was the largest offload in Coast Guard history. The quantity was the result of 19 separate seizures in Pacific and Caribbean waters.
As part of the fight against drugs, the US military has also increased its presence, particularly in the Caribbean. This week, President Trump ordered an attack on a boat of drug smugglers that had sailed from Venezuela. Eleven people lost their lives and the incident attracted international attention.
