- The U.S. Coast Guard in Northern California seized over 6 tons of cocaine on semi-submersible vessel
- The seized drug has an estimated value of $ 203 million
- Four suspected drug traffickers were arrested
The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard based in Northern California seized more than 6 tons of cocaine with an estimated value of $ 203 million on a self-propelled semi-submersible (SPSS) vessel off Panama’s Pacific coast.
Ruben Vives of Los Angeles Times said in his article dated March 28, 2016 that the drug bust occurred 300 miles southwest of Panama last March 3. A Customs and Border Protection plane spotted the semi-submersible and alerted the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf from Alameda, California.
The coast guard intercepted the vessel and arrested four suspected drug smugglers.
A video footage released by the U.S. Coast Guard and shared online by Sky News showed the four suspects sitting on top of the drug smuggling boat with their hands held in the air as the coast guard crew approached.
The coast guard crew had to enter the mini-submarine several times to retrieve the more than 6 tons of cocaine with an estimated value of $ 203 million. A loaded gun was also found in the vessel’s cockpit.
The U.S. Coast Guard has intercepted five submarine-like vessels carrying drugs since June last year.
Drug traffickers have been using the semi-submersible vessels because they are hard to detect. Only its cockpit and the exhaust pipe are visible above the water.
“SPSS interdictions are inherently dangerous, yet we persevere to disrupt the funding sources of illicit organizations causing violence and instability in Central America,” Capt. Laura Collins, commanding officer of the Cutter Bertholf, said.
Vice Adm. Charles Ray, commander of the Coast Guard’s Pacific Area, said the rise in SPSS vessels being used to move large amounts of illegal drugs means the transatlantic organized group continue exerting efforts to adjust their tactics to avoid detection.
“Despite these efforts, we will continue to execute an offensive strategy that targets, attacks and disrupts these dangerous criminal networks,” he said.
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