U.S. Coast Guard intercepts $275M worth of cocaine, crew member lost

• The U.S. Coast Guard recovered $275 million worth of cocaine after an operation in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Crews intercepted drug smuggling vessels in international waters off the coast of Mexico, Central and South America.
• The Coast Guard blocked 11 ships and recovered narcotics between December and February.
• During the mission, a Coast Guard crew member went missing while conducting a routine patrol.

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The U.S. Coast Guard returned to San Diego with $275 million worth of cocaine, seized during a months-long mission aimed at intercepting drug smuggling vessels. The mission, from December to February, also saw one crew member go missing during a routine patrol.

Mission to combat international drug smuggling

Crews stationed off the coasts of Mexico, Central America and South America worked alongside U.S. agencies responsible for national security. This multi-agency effort aimed at reducing international organized crime and drug trafficking, starting with drug detection and prosecuting smugglers.

“The Waesche crew faced numerous challenges during this patrol, overcoming the hardest adversities and still had 11 successful drug interdictions.”

Capt. Tyson Scofield, commanding officer, Coast Guard Cutter Waesche

Drug seizures and missing crew member

On Thursday, the Coast Guard offloaded more than 37,000 pounds of narcotics, which officials said was headed for the U.S. The Coast Guard blocked 11 ships and recovered drugs that were onboard. In the week leading up to their return to California, the Coast Guard launched a search for one of their own, who went missing during the operation.

After disappearing on a routine patrol, the Coast Guard spent over 190 hours scanning thousands of nautical miles of ocean looking for the seaman. Aircraft, drones and collaboration with the Mexican Navy were used in the search before it was officially called off.

“Considering all pertinent factors and available information, we made the difficult decision to suspend the search. This case has been extraordinarily challenging, and the decision to suspend the search pending new information is not an easy choice.” 

Cmdr. David Stern, search and rescue mission coordinator