MEDIA ADVISORY: Coast Guard to offload $338 million worth of cocaine in San Diego

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 02/10/2020 03:01 AM EST

united states coast guard 

News Release  

U.S. Coast Guard 11th District PA Detachment San Diego
Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment San Diego
Office: (619) 278-7025
After Hours: (619) 252-1304

MEDIA ADVISORY: Coast Guard to offload $338 million worth of cocaine in San Diego

Coast Guard intercepts suspected cocaine smugglers
Coast Guard Cutter Munro (WMSL 755) crew members inspect a go-fast vessel in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean Jan. 16, 2020. Coast Guard crews seized nearly 20,000 pounds of cocaine worth an estimated $338 million, through eight separate suspected drug smuggling interdictions and disruptions off the coasts of Mexico, Central and South America by four Coast Guard cutters between November 2019 and January 2020. (U.S. Coast Guard photo). Coast Guard Cutter Thetis (WMEC 910) crewmembers inspect a low-profile semi-submersible in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean Nov. 16, 2019. Coast Guard crews seized nearly 20,000 pounds of cocaine worth an estimated $338 million, through eight separate suspected drug smuggling interdictions and disruptions off the coasts of Mexico, Central and South America by four Coast Guard cutters between November 2019 and January 2020. (U.S. Coast Guard photo). Coast Guard Cutter Thetis (WMEC 910) crew members hoist interdicted drugs seized in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean Nov. 16, 2019. Coast Guard crews seized nearly 20,000 pounds of cocaine worth an estimated $338 million through eight separate suspected drug smuggling interdictions and disruptions off the coasts of Mexico, Central and South America by four Coast Guard cutters between November 2019 and January 2020. (U.S. Coast Guard photo).

Editor's note: click on images to download high resolution

WHO: Rear Adm. Peter Gautier, the 11th Coast Guard District commander, San Diego Imperial HIDTA Director David King, Capt. Jim Estramonte, the Coast Guard Cutter Munro commanding officer and Nathan Jones, the assistant special agent in charge for the DEA San Diego field division.

WHAT: The Coast Guard is scheduled to offload nearly 20,000 pounds of cocaine seized from the drug transit zones of the Eastern Pacific Ocean.

WHEN: Monday at 9:00 a.m. 

WHERE: Naval Base San Diego at 3455 Senn St, San Diego, CA 92136 

Editor's Note: Media interested in attending should arrive at the NBSD Pass and Decal office at 3101 Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92136 at 8:00 a.m. The sweeping process to proceed on to the base will begin at 8:15 a.m. Media are required to have a government-issued photo ID, press credentials, proof of vehicle registration and insurance. Media will be escorted to the event location following security screening.

 SAN DIEGO — The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Munro (WMSL 755) is scheduled to offload nearly 20,000 pounds of cocaine Monday seized from known drug-transit zones of the Eastern Pacific Ocean worth approximately $338 million.

Eight interdictions were made between mid-November and mid-January by the joint efforts of the following four separate Coast Guard cutter crews: 

  • Thetis (WMEC 910) was responsible for two case seizing 6,830 pounds
  • Resolute (WMEC 620) was responsible for one case seizing 1,951 pounds
  • Tampa (WMEC 902) was responsible for two cases seizing 4,270 pounds
  • Munro (WMSL 755) was responsible for three cases seizing 6,680 pounds

Numerous U.S. agencies from the Departments of Defense, Justice and Homeland Security cooperated in the effort to combat transnational organized crime. The Coast Guard, Navy, Customs and Border Protection, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Panama Express Strike Force, along with allied and international partner agencies, play a role in counter-drug operations. The fight against drug cartels in the Eastern Pacific Ocean requires unity of effort in all phases from detection, monitoring and interdictions, to criminal prosecutions of these cases by U.S. Attorneys in districts within Florida and Texas.

These interdictions were in support of Campaign Martillo, a regional initiative targeting illicit trafficking that threatens security and prosperity at the national, regional, and international levels. The law enforcement phase of counter-smuggling operations in the Eastern Pacific is conducted under the authority of the 11th Coast Guard District, headquartered in Alameda. The interdictions, including the actual boardings, are led and conducted by members of the U.S. Coast Guard.

 The Thetis is a 270-foot medium endurance cutter homeported in Key West. The Resolute is a 210-foot medium endurance cutter homeported in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Tampa is a 270-foot medium endurance cutter homeported in Portsmouth, Virginia. The Munro is a 418-foot national security cutter homeported in Alameda. 

In 2019, the Coast Guard Cutter Munro offloaded more than $500 million worth of cocaine and marijuana. Vice President Mike Pence spoke at the offload. For more information click the link below:

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCG/bulletins/250f187

-USCG-