“Our success intercepting this drug-laden, self-propelled semi-submersible is a testament to the collaboration of our partner agencies, and demonstrates the importance of our increased presence in the Western Hemisphere”, Coast Guard Vice Adm. Charles Ray said in a statement. Ray, commander, Pacific area.
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A heavily armed coast guard special operations team swarms aboard a ship, inside four men are trying to smuggle more than sixteen thousand pounds of cocaine.
Six tons of cocaine were removed while two tons were left on the sub to help balance it as the Stratton tried to tow it to shore.
About 1 800kg of the cocaine was lost when the vessel sank during towing.
Crew from the Coast Guard Cutter Stratton intercept a homemade submarine in the eastern Pacific on July 18, 2015. It didn’t work: The vessel, and the drugs, sank. The Coast Guard crew that made the bust is stationed in California.
This was also the first interdiction of two semi-submersibles in a single patrol at sea where Coast Guardsmen recovered both the narcotics and the vessels.
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“When you board a vessel you’re not sure of the integrity of the vessel, you’re not sure what’s going to come out of the hatch so you have to be ready for anything”, said Chief Warrant Officer Allyson Conroy, U.S. Coast Guard 11th District. At least 25 such vehicles have been stopped in the Eastern Pacific since November of 2006, the Coast Guard said. Both vessels sank during the course of the interdiction, however. As these well funded illicit networks broaden their activities, they could become mechanisms to be employed by terrorist organizations located in Central and South America.
