The U.S. Coast Guard has seized more than 150,000 pounds of cocaine in the Eastern Pacific since August under Operation Pacific Viper, marking one of the most aggressive maritime drug interdiction campaigns in years.
The agency highlighted a record bust earlier this month, when a helicopter fired disabling shots at a “go-fast” vessel before crews seized over 20,000 pounds of cocaine — the largest at-sea interdiction since 2007, according to the Coast Guard.
150,000 pounds interdicted under #OperationPacificViper.@USCG crews continue sustained pressure on narco-terrorists across the Eastern Pacific.
— U.S. Coast Guard (@USCG) December 9, 2025
Coast Guard Cutter James led recent operations with 4 interdictions in 10 days, seizing almost 20,000 pounds of cocaine.
This is… pic.twitter.com/bdw3Tg9UEy
Video released Tuesday shows multiple interdictions, including alleged smugglers being detained.
The Coast Guard says 80% of U.S.-bound narcotics are seized at sea, and the drugs intercepted so far this year are valued at more than $1.1 billion.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem called the operation a key pillar of President Trump’s pledge to “Make America Safe Again,” praising the campaign for disrupting cartel networks.
The uncle of a Trinidadian man, Chad Joseph, allegedly killed in a US military strike on a boat in the Caribbean, is demanding justice for his nephew pic.twitter.com/78OeNS7vil
— Reuters (@Reuters) December 9, 2025
The administration’s broader crackdown has included controversial lethal strikes on suspected drug boats.
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TIPP Staff
