US Coast Guard offloads more than $214m worth of illegal cocaine in San Diego

The crew of the US Coast Guard Legend-class national security cutter USCGC Kimball offloaded approximately 18,898 pounds (8,572 kg) of cocaine, with an estimated value of more than US$214.3 million, in San Diego, California, on Thursday, April 24.

The coast guard said the offload is a result of six separate suspected drug smuggling vessel interdictions or events off the coasts of Mexico and Central and South America by Kimball and the medium endurance cutter USCGC Forward during the months of February through April.

Multiple US agencies, including the Departments of Defense, Justice, and Homeland Security, collaborate in the effort to combat transnational organised crime.

The coast guard, the US Navy, US Customs and Border Protection, the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, along with allied and international partner agencies, have participated in these counter-narcotic operations.

The law enforcement phase of counter-smuggling operations in the Eastern Pacific Ocean is conducted under the authority of the Eleventh Coast Guard District, headquartered in Alameda, California. The interdictions, including the actual boardings, are led and conducted by members of the coast guard.