76,000 Pounds Of Cocaine VANISHES Overnight

Bags of white powder with scissors in cardboard box.

The U.S. Coast Guard just delivered a crushing blow to drug cartels with the largest cocaine seizure in American history, seizing over 76,000 pounds of narcotics worth $473 million in a bold new operation that shows what happens when America fights back against the scourge destroying our communities.

Story Highlights

Operation Pacific Viper sets Coast Guard record with 76,140 pounds of cocaine seized in single offload
Joint Coast Guard-Navy operation conducted 19 interdictions across Eastern Pacific and Caribbean waters
Over 36 suspected drug smugglers apprehended, dealing major financial blow to transnational criminal organizations
Admiral declares “we own the sea” as operation demonstrates renewed American strength against cartels

Record-Breaking Drug Bust Devastates Cartel Operations

The U.S. Coast Guard achieved an unprecedented victory against drug trafficking cartels in August 2025 with Operation Pacific Viper, culminating in the largest single drug offload in Coast Guard history. Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton delivered 76,140 pounds of seized narcotics to Port Everglades, Florida, representing a street value of $473 million ripped from cartel coffers. This massive haul resulted from 19 separate interdictions conducted in international waters across the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean, demonstrating the operation’s sweeping scope and effectiveness.

Acting Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Kevin Lunday sent a clear message to criminal organizations attempting to poison American communities. “Hamilton’s success sends a strong signal to the cartels that we own the sea,” Lunday declared. “We will defeat them and protect our communities from the death and devastation from the scourge of illegal drugs.” This aggressive stance represents exactly the kind of decisive leadership Americans expect when confronting threats to national security and community safety.

Strategic Forward Defense Disrupts Trafficking Networks

Operation Pacific Viper represents a strategic shift toward proactive interdiction in international waters, intercepting drug shipments before they reach Central America or U.S. shores. The Coast Guard partnered with the U.S. Navy to surge assets and personnel into the Eastern Pacific, a primary corridor for South American cocaine trafficking. This forward-deployed approach targets transnational criminal organizations using sophisticated methods including go-fast boats, semi-submersibles, and fishing vessels to evade detection.

The operation continued delivering results beyond the record-breaking August offload, with Coast Guard Cutter Seneca interdicting an additional 5,500 pounds of cocaine northeast of the Galápagos Islands on September 10. These continued successes demonstrate sustained operational pressure against trafficking networks that have grown increasingly sophisticated and violent. The multi-agency approach combines Coast Guard maritime expertise with Navy force projection capabilities, creating a formidable barrier against drug smuggling operations.

Protecting American Communities Through Maritime Dominance

The operation’s impact extends far beyond impressive seizure statistics, representing a fundamental commitment to protecting American families from the devastating effects of illegal drugs. By intercepting massive cocaine shipments before they reach U.S. distribution networks, Operation Pacific Viper prevents countless overdoses and drug-related crimes that destroy communities nationwide. The apprehension of over 36 suspected smugglers further disrupts cartel operations and removes dangerous criminals from circulation.

Another win for Trump's Admin War on Drugs!

"WATCH: Coast Guard seizes cocaine, suspected narco-terrorists in Pacific Viper raid."https://t.co/CI0F6n266n

— Al Madden (@MaddenAl80972) September 18, 2025

This aggressive maritime interdiction strategy demonstrates what effective border security looks like when properly resourced and supported. Rather than waiting for drugs to reach American shores, the Coast Guard and Navy are taking the fight directly to transnational criminal organizations in international waters. The $473 million in seized narcotics represents a devastating financial blow to cartels while demonstrating American resolve to defend our borders and communities through decisive action.