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2 clusters · 22 sources · 22 days · First seen 23 days ago · Last updated 1 day ago

U.S. Coast Guard maritime drug interdictions

Overview

The U.S. Coast Guard has conducted several maritime drug interdictions involving various narcotics. In early September, a patrol crew from the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba intercepted a “go-fast vessel,” leading to the recovery of 47 bales of suspected marijuana valued at over $2.4 million. This operation involved coordination with the Joint Rescue Coordination Center Haiti.

Later in the month, the Coast Guard reported seizing more than 25,000 pounds of cocaine during three separate interdictions in the eastern Pacific Ocean within one week. These actions are part of “Operation Pacific Viper,” an international initiative launched in August 2025 to expand maritime interdiction against cartel operations. Since the operation's inception, crews have seized a total of more than 260,000 pounds of cocaine.

Recent interdictions under Operation Pacific Viper included the interception of a go-fast vessel south of Costa Rica by the USCG Cutter Tampa, resulting in the seizure of 6,800 pounds of cocaine and the arrest of three suspects. Subsequent operations yielded an additional 15,000 pounds and six arrests, while another operation near Panama resulted in the seizure of 3,456 pounds and four arrests.

Entities

U.S. Coast Guard · Ejército de Liberación Nacional · Ecuadorian National Police · U.S. Southern Command · Joint Rescue Coordination Center Haiti

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 4 SOURCES] The U.S. Coast Guard seized over 25,000 pounds of cocaine in three operations in the eastern Pacific within one week. yournews.com · laopinion.com · sjvsun.com · themercury.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Operation Pacific Viper has resulted in the seizure of more than 260,000 pounds of cocaine since its launch in August 2025. yournews.com · sjvsun.com · themercury.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The Colombian Navy seized 1,498 kilograms of cocaine in the Meta River. crprensa.com · elinformadorve.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The seized cocaine shipment is valued at approximately 80 million dollars. crprensa.com · elinformadorve.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The shipment was allegedly destined for the ELN's Oriental War Front in Venezuela. crprensa.com · elinformadorve.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Ecuadorian police seized approximately 1.8 tons of cocaine from a truck following an accident in Bolívar province. viphatomayor.com · diariolosandes.com.ec
[● 2 SOURCES] A Spanish national was detained at Guayaquil airport for attempting to transport 18 kilograms of cocaine to Germany. www.extra.ec · radiocolosal.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Thirteen members of the 'Los Pachenca' criminal group were captured in a joint operation involving the DEA. www.cablenoticias.com

Timeline

1 day ago

[CRIME] 20 sources
Law enforcement agencies seize massive cocaine shipments across the Americas
Major drug interdiction operations in Colombia, Ecuador, and the Pacific have resulted in the seizure of several tons of cocaine and the arrest of numerous suspects linked to international cartels.
23 days ago

[CRIME] 2 sources
U.S. Coast Guard seizes $2.4 million marijuana haul
The U.S. Coast Guard seized over 2,000 pounds of suspected marijuana worth $2.4 million after intercepting a high-speed vessel and recovering 47 bales from a “bale field” in the water.

Sources

cablenoticias.tv · crime-nieuws.nl · crprensa.com · diarioextra.com · diariolosandes.com.ec · dwtonline.com · elinformadorve.com · epochtimes.com · extra.ec · foxnews.com · internewscast.com · justthenews.com · laopinion.com · lifezette.com · radiocolosal.com · republica.com · sjvsun.com · tctelevision.com · teledoce.com · themercury.com · viphatomayor.com · yourNEWS.com

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history