US Coast Guard Intercepts Semi-Submersible in Pacific Carrying 17,600 Pounds of Cocaine

The interception was conducted as part of Operation Pacific Viper, under which authorities have interdicted over 200,000 pounds of cocaine.

A still image released on Dec. 31, 2025, shows a vessel suspected of narco-trafficking. U.S. Southern Command

Around 17,600 pounds of cocaine were taken into custody from a drug smuggling vessel, with the quantity large enough to make more than six million potentially lethal doses, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) said in a March 13 post on X.

“The crew of #USCG Cutter Forward, with an embarked Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) team, interdicted a drug-smuggling self-propelled semi-submersible (SPSS) in the Eastern Pacific,” the post said. “The SPSS sank after its four crew were apprehended.”