San Diego, California – In a massive blow to international drug trafficking operations, the U.S. Coast Guard offloaded nearly 19,000 pounds (8,500 kilograms) of cocaine worth over $214 million on Thursday, following a series of successful interdictions in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
The seized cocaine, recovered between February and April 2025, is the result of six coordinated drug-smuggling vessel interdictions conducted by the crews of the Coast Guard Cutter Kimball and Cutter Forward. The busts occurred in international waters off the coasts of Mexico, Central, and South America.
The announcement was made in San Diego with several high-profile federal and regional officials present, including Capt. Jason Hagan of Coast Guard District 11, and representatives from the DEA, Border Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, and the San Diego Air and Marine Branch…