Coast Guard brings $338M of seized cocaine to San Diego

SAN DIEGO — The U.S. Coast Guard says nearly 20,000 pounds (9,071 kilograms) of cocaine seized in the eastern Pacific Ocean has been brought to San Diego.

The drug haul estimated to be worth about $338 million was offloaded from the cutter Munro at Naval Base San Diego on Monday morning.

In this Nov. 16 photo provided by the Coast Guard, crew members from the cutter Thetis hoist interdicted drugs seized in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean. (Petty Officer 1st Class Mark Barney/Coast Guard via AP)

The cocaine was seized in eight operations by the crews of four cutters between mid-November and mid-January.

The Coast Guard says the campaign against drug cartels involves numerous U.S. agencies as well as the Navy.

The nautical beginnings of America’s war on drugs

Cutters versus contraband traffickers heading for San Francisco Bay.

By Daniel Laliberte, HistoryNet.com

Navy Times editor’s note: The interdictions AP is talking about fall under Campaign Martillo, a hemispheric effort to target the illicit trafficking of narcotics. The Eastern Pacific Ocean operations are run by the 11th Coast Guard District based in Alameda, California.

Three of the ships participating in this anti-smuggling campaign were medium endurance cutters from the other side of the United States: Thetis (homeported in Key West, Florida); Resolute (St. Petersburg, Florida); and Tampa (Portsmouth, Virginia).

Munro is a 418-foot national security cutter homeported in Alameda.

NCIS: Drug ring’s tentacles reached at least 48 service members

The sailors bought cocaine, LSD and other drugs from two petty officers moonlighting as drug dealers.

By Geoff Ziezulewicz

Tags:

Coast Guard cutter Munro Naval Base San Diego Campaign Martillo Thetis cutter Resolute cutter Munro cutter Tampa cutter cocaine interdiction

In Other News

Oracle exec: VA health records overhaul is only real option for vets

The company behind VA's controversial health records project insists the work can still be finished in a way that benefits veterans and taxpayers.

A high altitude balloon floats over Billings, Mont., on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. The huge, high-altitude Chinese balloon sailed across the U.S. on Friday, drawing severe Pentagon accusations of spying and sending excited or alarmed Americans outside with binoculars.

Why stratospheric balloons are used in era of space-based intelligence

Experts say balloons loitering at high altitudes can offer some advantages over satellites and drones — and could at least augment ISR capabilities.

This week in Congress: State of the Union and start of committee work

Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of Feb. 6.

Hiring representatives from more than 100 companies attended the Hiring our Heroes hiring fair to assist transitioning veterans in their job hunt at the 96th Annual American Legion National Convention, Aug. 26, 2014.

These recommendations could help transitioning service members

The George W. Bush Institute is urging the current administration to support programs and resources to help veterans successfully transition to civilian li

The American and Chinese flags wave at Genting Snow Park ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Feb. 2, 2022, in Zhangjiakou, China.

China balloon: Many questions about suspected spy in the sky

The massive white orb that drifted across U.S. airspace and was shot down by the military triggered a diplomatic maelstrom and blown up on social media.

Undisclosed number of Ospreys grounded until clutch-related part fixed

An undisclosed number of V-22 Ospreys across three services will halt operations until a component tied to the engine is replaced.

US downs Chinese balloon, a flashpoint in US-China tensions

Biden said he wanted the balloon downed on Wednesday, but was advised the best time for the operation would be when it was over water.

Navy ships face growing maintenance delays, costs, watchdog reports

While maintenance delays, casualty reports and parts cannibalization have increased in the surface fleet, days underway have decreased.

Navy surpasses FY22 retention goals amid recruitment challenges

"We are taking every opportunity to allow future Sailors to join or current Sailors to continue their service," Navy officials said.

‘The Covenant’ trailer promises an agonizing Afghan translator story

“The Covenant” arrives in theaters in April.

Your Navy