MIAMI, Florida – The U.S. Coast Guard has revealed the staggering results of an intensified two-month-long offensive in the Eastern Pacific, announcing Tuesday the seizure of more than 100,000 pounds (approximately 50 tons) of cocaine in a series of high-stakes interdictions, including one dramatic scene involving a capsized drug smuggling vessel.
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| The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Seneca (WMEC 906) recovers bales of cocaine after a suspected drug smuggling vessel capsized in the Pacific Ocean, Sept. 17, 2025. / Credit: U.S. Coast Guard |
The massive haul is the result of "Operation Pacific Viper," an accelerated counter-drug campaign that has seen the agency intercept 34 separate vessels and take 86 suspected smugglers into custody. The pace of the seizures has been relentless, averaging about 1,600 pounds of cocaine per day. News releases accompanying the announcement included powerful images of the operation's success, showcasing not only towering stacks of seized narcotics but also bales of cocaine floating in the open ocean after a suspect boat went under.
This major offensive involves a significant deployment of U.S. assets, including advanced ships, aircraft, and tactical teams, working in concert with international partners to patrol known smuggling routes from Central and South America.
"When we say the Coast Guard is accelerating counter-narcotics operations, we mean it," declared Rear Adm. Jeffrey Novak, deputy commander of U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area. "Alongside our partners and allies, our maritime fighting force is scouring drug smuggling routes in the Eastern Pacific and dismantling narco-terrorist networks. As we mark our interdiction of 100,000 pounds, we are already working towards the next milestone."
The tactics employed are aggressive and decisive. One notable bust in early September saw crews seize 8,700 pounds of cocaine from a single boat traveling from Panama. In many cases, after the narcotics are secured and the crew is taken into custody, the smuggling vessels are set on fire and sunk. The Coast Guard has stated this practice is a safety measure to prevent the derelict "go-fast" boats from becoming navigational hazards.
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| Coast Guard Cutter Tampa crewmembers intercept a suspected drug smuggling vessel during counter narcotics operations in the Eastern Pacific Ocean as part of Operation Pacific Viper. / Credit: U.S. Coast Guard |
However, the operation's intensity extends beyond conventional seizures. The U.S. has also deployed lethal force, carrying out a series of drone strikes on boats suspected of carrying drugs. The campaign's violent edge was underscored on Tuesday the very same day the Coast Guard announced its seizure milestone when a fifth drone strike was conducted.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, President Donald Trump confirmed the latest strike killed six people aboard the vessel. According to figures released by his administration, this brings the total death toll from these targeted strikes to 27, marking a significant and deadly escalation in America's long-running war on drugs.
This dual strategy of overwhelming seizures and lethal force signals a new, more confrontational chapter in U.S. counter-narcotics policy, transforming vast stretches of the Eastern Pacific into a high-risk battleground for drug cartels.
