Coasties intercept 'narco’ sub carrying $165M in cocaine
By The Associated Press
U.S. Coast Guard boarding team members climb aboard a suspected smuggling vessel in September. The 40-foot self-propelled semi-submersible vessel carried an estimated 12,000 pounds of cocaine, plus four suspected drug smugglers. (Coast Guard)
MIAMI — The U.S. Coast Guard says a cutter patrolling eastern parts of the Pacific Ocean seized a “narco” submarine carrying cocaine worth a street value of more than $165 million.
In a Tuesday news release, the agency says the crew captured the self-propelled semi-submersible in international waters earlier this month and apprehended four suspected drug smugglers.
The semi-submersible was detected and monitored by maritime patrol aircraft and the Coast Guard cutter’s crew was diverted by the Joint Interagency Task Force South to seize it.
They offloaded about 1,100 pounds (500 kilograms) of cocaine but the rest couldn’t be safely removed due to concerns about the vessel’s stability.
A total of about 12,000 pounds (5,400 kilograms) was eventually seized.
Cmdr. Matthew Waldron says in a 24-hour period the cutter crossed the equator and intercepted the sub.
Members of a U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Valiant boarding team transfer narcotics between an interceptor boat and a suspected smuggling vessel in September. Crews intercepted a drug-laden, 40-foot self-propelled semi-submersible in the eastern Pacific carrying approximately 12,000 pounds of cocaine, worth over $165 million and apprehended four suspected drug smugglers. (U.S. Coast Guard)
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Taiwan's Defense Ministry says 20 Chinese aircraft crossed the central line in the Taiwan Strait that has been an unofficial buffer zone between the sides.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is in the Philippines for talks on deploying larger numbers of U.S. forces and weapons in more Philippine military camps.
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