Coast Guard’s Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron completes historic 1,000th interdiction

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 09/10/2025 01:45 PM EDT

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Coast Guard’s Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron completes historic 1,000th interdiction
09/10/2025 01:22 PM EDT

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The U.S. Coast Guard’s Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) achieved a significant milestone in its counter-drug mission, completing its 1,000th interdiction of suspected narco-trafficking vessels Aug. 25.    Since October 1, 2024, HITRON has interdicted $3.3 billion in illicit narcotics destined for the United States via maritime routes, a three-fold increase over its historic annual average of $1 billion. 
A precision marksman assigned to the Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) displays a recovered ammunition round used to disable the engine of a suspected drug smuggling vessel while underway aboard Coast Guard Cutter Midgett (WMSL 757) in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, Aug. 31, 2025. On Aug. 25, HITRON used airborne use of force to stop the non-compliant vessel, marking the unit’s 1,000th drug interdiction since the unit’s inception in 1999, which resulted in Midgett crew members seizing approximately 3,606 pounds of suspected cocaine worth an estimated $46 million and apprehending six suspected narco-traffickers. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)