The crew of the US Coast Guard Legend-class cutter USCGC James offloaded more than 44,550 pounds (20,210 kg) of cocaine and 3,880 pounds (1,760 kg) of marijuana valued at approximately US$509.9 million in Port Everglades, Florida, on Wednesday, April 9.
James' most recent patrol resulted in 11 interdictions in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and the detainment of 34 suspected drug traffickers who were transferred ashore to face federal prosecution.
The coast guard said all of these interdictions are tied to criminal investigations by federal partners and are linked to transnational criminal and foreign terrorist organisations including the Clan del Golfo, Sinaloa Cartel, and Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion.
Assisting assets and units in the interdiction operations include the medium endurance cutter USCGC Mohawk, Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron Jacksonville, Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team-Pacific, US Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations aircrews, and Joint Interagency Task Force-South (JIATF-S).
Based in Key West, JIATF-S is responsible for detecting and monitoring the aerial and maritime movement of illegal drugs. When an interdiction is imminent, the operation transitions to the law enforcement phase, with the coast guard taking control for the interdiction and apprehension stages.
Interdictions in the Eastern Pacific Ocean are performed by members of the coast guard under the authority and control of the Eleventh Coast Guard District, headquartered in Alameda, California.