US Navy destroyer interdicts 2,000 kilograms of cocaine in Eastern Pacific

The US Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Preble and its embarked US Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) team seized 100 bales of suspected cocaine worth over in an operation in the Eastern Pacific Ocean earlier this month.

After a US Navy maritime patrol aircraft first spotted the low-profile go-fast vessel (LPGFV), Preble was vectored in for a long-range intercept. Upon interception, the destroyer employed one of its embarked helicopters to provide overwatch and ensure compliance while the embarked LEDET personnel and small boats achieved positive control of the LPGFV.

Preble‘s crew and the embarked LEDET personnel recovered 100 bales of suspected cocaine totaling an estimated 2,000 kilograms.

Navy officials said the seized narcotics have an estimated wholesale value of over US$40 million.