The crew of the US Coast Guard medium endurance cutter USCGC Thetis offloaded more than 28,500 pounds (12,900 kg) of cocaine worth an estimated US$211.3 million at Port Everglades in Florida on Thursday, May 29.
The seized contraband was the result of four interdictions in the Eastern Pacific by the crew of Thetis and an embarked MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from the Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron based out of Jacksonville, Florida.
On May 3, a maritime patrol aircraft located two suspicious vessels approximately 170 miles (270 kilometres) west of Mexico. Thetis’ crew interdicted the vessels and seized 4,630 pounds (2,100 kg) of cocaine.
The coast guard transferred 4,608 pounds (2,090 kg) of cocaine from this case to Ecuadorian government officials to aid them in their prosecution efforts.
On May 5, an embarked helicopter crew aboard Thetis observed a bale field approximately 475 miles (764 kilometres) southwest of Colima, Mexico. Thetis’ crew recovered 9,993 pounds (4,533 kg) of cocaine from the bale field.
On May 6, a crew on an embarked helicopter aboard Thetis detected two suspicious vessels throwing bales overboard approximately 575 miles (925 kilometres) southwest of Acapulco, Mexico. Due to an incoming storm, the air crew lost sight of the vessels but led the Thetis crew to three bale fields where 14,559 pounds (6,603 kg) of cocaine bales were recovered.
On May 10, the Thetis crew spotted a bale field approximately 660 miles (1,060 kilometres) south of Acapulco, Mexico. Thetis’ crew recovered 3,984 pounds (1,807 kg) of cocaine from the bale field.
Joint Interagency Task Force-South and Eleventh Coast Guard District watchstanders also assisted with the interdiction operations.