The U.S. Coast Guard offloaded some 18 tons of cocaine seized in 18 separate interdictions in the Eastern Pacific Ocean from March 2017 through June 2017.
The cocaine was offloaded in San Diego on Thursday by the crew of U.S. Coast Guard cutter Waesche.
“Our nation faces significant threats posed by transnational organized crime networks that spread violence and instability throughout the Western Hemisphere,” said Capt. James Passarelli , commanding officer of Waesche. “The crew of Waesche meets those threats head on as far from the U.S. border as possible.”
The drugs, intercepted in international waters off the coast of Central and South America by crews of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutters Waesche, Hamilton, Mohawk, Dependable, Valiant, Active, Campbell and Confidence were offloaded at the 10th Avenue Marine Terminal.
The load represents 15 interdictions of suspected drug smuggling vessels, known as pangas, and three cases of seized bales of cocaine dumped by suspected smugglers. Waesche was responsible for seven cases, seizing approximately 17,619 pounds. Valiant was responsible for three cases, seizing an estimated 5,346 pounds. Hamilton was responsible for two cases, seizing an estimated 4,116 pounds. Confidence was responsible for two cases, seizing an estimated 3,712 pounds. Active was responsible for one case, seizing an estimated 2,215 pounds. Mohawk was responsible for one case, seizing an estimated 2,136 pounds. Dependable was responsible for one case, seizing an estimated 2,204 pounds. Campbell was responsible for one case, seizing an estimated 1,766 pounds.