The United States Coast Guard has seized more than 150,000 pounds of cocaine in the Eastern Pacific Ocean since the launch of Operation Pacific Viper in early August, marking one of the largest cumulative maritime interdiction efforts in recent years.

Officials said the seized amount is equal to more than 57 million potentially deadly doses, as just 1.2 grams of cocaine can kill a person.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said the operation has become a critical tool in countering foreign drug traffickers and cartels operating across Latin America.

According to the department, the initiative shows that the United States aims to disrupt, dismantle and eliminate criminal networks wherever they operate, while supporting government efforts to improve national safety and protect maritime security.

As part of Operation Pacific Viper, the Coast Guard has deployed more cutters, aircraft and tactical teams to strengthen counter-drug operations in an area widely used to move narcotics from Central and South America. Authorities reported that about 80% of U.S.-bound drug seizures happen at sea.

Adm. Kevin Lunday, who is serving as acting commandant, said through the service that the phrase “we own the sea” showed its sustained efforts to secure maritime areas and disrupt criminal networks that pose threats to communities.

A series of major operations has strengthened the impact of the mission:

On 2 December, Coast Guard Cutter Munro interdicted a heavily laden go-fast vessel and seized more than 20,000 pounds of cocaine after employing disabling fire. The Coast Guard confirmed this was its largest at-sea cocaine seizure since March 2007.

In November, the Coast Guard Cutter James conducted four cocaine seizures across 10 days, totalling 19,819 pounds. These included 9,581 pounds on 15 November, 3,225 pounds on 23 November, and 7,055 pounds across two separate interdictions on 25 November carried out with support from Coast Guard Cutter Active.

The Coast Guard Cutter Stone achieved another milestone in November by offloading approximately 49,010 pounds of illicit narcotics, valued at more than US$362 million, at Port Everglades. Officials said this represented the largest single-patrol offload ever recorded by a Coast Guard cutter.

Authorities reported that Operation Pacific Viper remains focused on denying smugglers access to Eastern Pacific maritime corridors frequently used to transport cocaine from South and Central America to the United States.

Reference: USCG