The U.S. Coast Guard has seized about 100,000 pounds of cocaine since launching Operation Pacific Viper in August, officials reported Oct. 15.
The Coast Guard and its partners are targeting vessels suspected of bringing illegal narcotics such as cocaine into the United States from Central and South America.
The operation aims to stop drug trafficking and human smuggling by cartels and criminal organizations.
The Coast Guard has seized an average of about 1,600 pounds of cocaine every day since starting the operation, prohibiting about 34 vessels from reaching the United States and apprehending 86 suspected drug traffickers.
“The Coast Guard’s seizure of over 100,000 pounds of cocaine, in such a short time frame, is a remarkable achievement,” said Rear Adm. Jeffrey Novak, deputy commander of U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area, in a statement. “When we say the Coast Guard is accelerating counter-narcotics operations, we mean it.”…